Alliances

There are 3 outstanding powers in the world of organized effort.

The Churches, Schools, and The newspaper.

Power is organized effort, and has already been stated. And success is based upon power.

A good encyclopedia contains most of the known facts of the world, but they are as useless as sand dunes until organized and expressed in terms of action.

Analyze yourself

One of the most startling facts bought to light by those 16,000 analyses say the discovery that the 95% who were classed as failures were in that class because the they had no definite chief aim in life while the 5% of successful ones not only had purpose that were definite but they also had definite plans for the attainment of their purposes.

Another important fact disclosed by these analyses was that 95% constituting the failures were engaged in work they did not like, while the 5% constituting the successful ones were doing what they liked best.

It is doubtful whether a person could be a failure while engaged in work he or she liked best.

Another vital fact learned from the analyses was that all the 5% who were succeeding had formed the habit of systematically saving money, while the 95% who were failures saved little. This is worthy of serious thought.

If you are not certain as to the answers to some of the questions, seek the counsel of those who know you well, especially those who have no motive in flattering you, and see yourself through their eyes.

The following is Hill's self-analysis test, which is taken from his book Think and Grow Rich: 

Do you often complain of "feeling bad"? If so, why? Do you find fault with other people easily? Do you often make mistakes in your work? Are you sarcastic and obnoxious? Do you deliberately avoid anyone? Why? Does life seem futile and hopeless to you? Do you often feel self-pity? If so, why? Do you envy people who are more successful? Do you devote more time to thinking about success or failure? Are you gaining or losing self-confidence as you grow older? Do you learn from your mistakes? Are you permitting a relative or friend to worry you? Are you sometimes elated and sometimes depressed? Who is the most inspiring person you know? Do you put up with negative influences? Are you careless about your personal appearance? Do you avoid your troubles by being busy? Do you let other people do your thinking for you? Are you annoyed by petty disturbances? Do you resort to liquor, drugs, or cigarettes to calm you down? Does anyone nag you? Do you have an aim in life and a plan for achieving it?

Do you suffer from any of the six basic fears? Do you have a way to shield yourself from the negative effects of others? Do you actively attempt to keep your mind positive? What do you value more: your physical possessions or your ability to control your own thoughts? Are you easily influenced by others? Have you learned anything of value today? Do you accept responsibility for problems? Do you analyze mistakes and try to learn from them? Can you name your three most damaging weaknesses and explain what you are doing to combat them? Do you encourage others to bring their troubles to you for sympathy? Does your presence have a negative influence on others? What habits in others annoy you the most? Do you form your own opinions or do you let yourself be influenced by others? Does your job inspire you? Do you have spiritual forces powerful enough to keep you free from fear? If you believe that "birds of a feather flock together, " what do you know about your friends? Do you see any connection between your friends and some unhappiness in your life? Is it possible that some close friend or associate has a negative influence on your mind? What criteria do you use to determine who is helpful to you and who is harmful? Are your intimate associates mentally superior or inferior to you? How much time out of every day to you devote to: • your occupation? • sleep? • play and relaxation? • acquiring useful knowledge? • plain waste? Who among your friends and family: • encourages you the most? • cautions you the most? • discourages you the most?

What is your greatest worry? Why do you tolerate it? When others offer you unsolicited advice, do you accept it without question or do you analyze their motive for giving it? What, above all else, do you desire? Do you intend to get it? Are you willing to subordinate all other goals for this one? How much time do you devote to it daily? Do you change your mind often? Do you usually finish what you start? Are you easily impressed by other people's business titles, college degrees, or wealth? Are you often concerned about what other people might think or say of you? Do you try to make friends with people because of their social status or wealth? Whom do you believe to be the greatest person living? How is this person superior to you? How much time have you devoted to studying and answering these questions? At least one full day is needed to contemplate your answers, in order to truthfully answer these questions.