The Philosophy of Achievement

As a result of Hill's studies via Carnegie's introductions, the Philosophy of Achievement was offered as a formula for rags-to-riches success by Hill and Carnegie, published initially in 1928 as a study course called, The Law of Success. The Achievement formula was detailed further and published in home-study courses, including the seventeen-volume "Mental Dynamite" series until 1941.

Hill later called his personal success teachings "The Philosophy of Achievement" and he considered freedom, democracy, capitalism, and harmony to be important contributing elements. For without these foundations to build upon, as Hill demonstrated throughout his writings, successful personal achievements are not possible. He contrasted his philosophy with others, and thought Achievement was superior and responsible for the success Americans enjoyed for the better part of two centuries. Negative emotions, fear and selfishness among others, had no part to play in his philosophy, and Hill considered them to be the source of failure for unsuccessful people.


Napoleon Hill holding his book Think and Grow RichThe secret of achievement was tantalizingly offered to readers of Think and Grow Rich, but was never explicitly identified. Hill felt discovering it for themselves would provide readers with the most benefit. He presented the idea of a "Definite Major Purpose" as a challenge to his readers in order to make them ask themselves, "In what do I truly believe?" For according to him, 98% of people had no firm beliefs, and this alone put true success firmly out of their reach

Hill's numerous books have sold millions of copies, proving that the secret of Achievement is still highly sought-after by modern Americans. Hill dealt with many controversial subjects through his writings including racism, slavery, oppression, failure, revolution, war and poverty. Persevering and then succeeding in spite of these obstacles using the Philosophy of Achievement, Hill stated, was the responsibility of every American.

Some of today's philosophy of success teachers are also using the research formulas taught by Hill to expand upon our world's knowledge of personal development. Douglas Vermeeren, for example, has interviewed more than 400 of the world's top achievers following the pattern used by Hill. Vermeeren has, however, expanded upon Hill's initial efforts by including professions and circumstances that were not available in Hill's day. For example, Vermeeren's research includes celebrities, athletes, internet entrepreneurs, network marketing giants and so forth. "This research is very important," commented Vermeeren, "for it is by observing these categories that did not exist in Napoleon Hill's day that we can truly see how important, accurate and applicable Hill's work was. Based on such research, it is clear that Hill's work applies in all generations and is indeed timeless.