After reading the chapter on Faith in “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, I felt compelled to share a little insight. In this chapter, Hill tells the story of Charles M Schwab who created billions of dollars from nothing but an idea backed by faith.
On December 12, 1900, the 38 year old Schwab gave a speech to approximately 80 millionaires in a lavish banquet hall in New York city. This speech turned out to be the single most significant episode in American industry. Schwab shared his vision with those 80 millionaires in attendance that night, as some of them looked down their noses at him. Schwab told in detail how the formation of The American Steel Corporation could consolidate and multiply the revenues of the steel industry. Schwab was warned that his lack of eloquent speaking skills may possibly bore the room full of Americas financial elite. But his faith was stronger than the ‘status box’ that society tried to lock him into.
“FAITH is the starting point of all accumulation of riches! FAITH is the basis of all “miracles,” and all mysteries which cannot be analyzed by the rules of science!”
It’s so extremely important to know and be reminded of the starting point. When things get complicated and crazy, the most common advise given is “get back to the basics”. When things get crazy in life, get back to the basics remember what you are doing and who you are doing it for. When things get crazy in business, get back to the basics focus on the mission statement.
I remember playing basketball as a young boy and one of the older boys pointed out to me, that when I go up for a shot “with confidence” (Faith) it usually goes in. As opposed to when I go up for a shot ‘not so sure’ of myself.
I missed that lesson back then, but I remember and understand it now some 25 years later. I’m still not much of a basketball player, but now I understand the concept. Faith is key to success.