"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body"

Books are, I believe, motivational and poignant resources of life! They can make us cry, laugh, feel, empathise but most importantly think!!!  Sir Richard Steele famously said “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”. And I couldn’t agree more! Especially when one is on a journey of self – discovery and/or self-development; specifically in the area of achieving financial freedom; which if you are reading this post I assume you are.

If you want to become financially savvy or simply change your economic circumstances, then you must take the time to educate yourself, and one of the ways of doing that, is of course reading.

Change is constantly around us; wanted or unwanted. But even so there is a difference between the change that happens to us and the change we create in order to fulfil our potential.  We must take a dedicated and committed approach to improving ourselves, and thus our circumstances, to really benefit from the lives we live.  To use another quote “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw.

Three practical and logical ways I advocate to improving ones-self, and ultimately circumstances:

1. Network with like-minded individuals, online and offline – you never know where these relationships will lead!
2. Attend events pertaining to your interests and areas you wish to develop –you never know what you will learn and who you will meet!
3. Read books/listening to audio tapes on those interests and areas – what you learn you can then share with others!

It is for that reason I have an e-commerce book shop -http://Bookshop.BecomingFinanciallySavvy.com, available on this blog, where you can find a range of books and audio tapes on three key subjects relevant to this website and my business – Butterfly Wealth Creation:

-          Financial Education

-          Self-Development

-          Networking

I generally try and read one book a month, but if I don’t I read various articles and periodicals to keep abreast of the most current and relevant news on wealth creation and financial matters.  As such I plan to write a monthly book review, starting with, arguably the most famous self-development book of all times and one of my favourites, ‘Think & Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill.

"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve,"

The essence of Think & Grow Rich is in Napoleon Hill’s statement: “Everything your mind can conceive, you can achieve”. Your thoughts determine your actions or non-actions, and these become your reality. By taking charge of your thoughts and beliefs, you can in turn design your own destiny.

The book came into existence because Andrew Carnegie, a self-made billionaire at the time, commissioned Napoleon Hill to research why some men became successful, while others in very similar circumstances did not. He was fascinated with the key to success.

The book is based on over 500 interviews with successful entrepreneurs including Ford, Wrigley, Wanamaker, Eastman, Rockefeller, Edison, Woolworth, Darrow, Burbank, Morgan, Firestone, and three United States Presidents. Hill determined that these entrepreneurs shared certain mental qualities in common. These qualities became the basis for the book. Hill believed that by understanding and applying these principles, you could live a full, meaningful and wealthy life.

Napoleon Hill’s research took him some twenty years plus to complete, and it has greatly influenced the whole field of personal development as we know it today.

So, even after seventy years plus in publication, Think & Grow Rich is still selling in its millions worldwide, and for good reason: the concepts are still very valid today. Especially when you consider that when the book was first published many people were suffering in the midst of the Great Depression. They needed to know that there was still hope for those who were willing to take charge and create their own destiny; similar in many ways to individuals today during this worldwide economic recession.

So, my question to you today is, have you read it? And if not, when will you? As reading it just might change your life!

As a gift, to help you with this, and to ‘becoming financially savvy’, I have made available for you a FREE download of the e-book version of ‘Think and Grow Rich’, as well as an audio version.

Click here to download the E-book version

Click here to download the audio version

To your success! And Becoming Financially Savvy!!

Financial Educator & Internet Network Marketer

P.S. Why not comment on what self-development books have changed your life. All comments, as always are welcome.  Also, if you would like other FREE self-development e-books, then send me a request via the About Us page, or leave a message below this post, and I will send some out to you.  Also, if you haven’t already had a financial MOT for the year, why not book one in with me for the Spring by sending a request to info@butterflywealthcreation.