The Science Of Getting Rich

The Science Of Getting Rich - Background and Introduction

The Science of Getting Rich was written by Wallace Wattles and published in 1910. In summary:

• This book is a core part of the foundation of the modern self help movement and the material promoted by people like Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, Zig Ziglar, Wayne Dyer, Joe Vitali and so many others.

• This book is the inspiration and source for Rhonda Byrnes' "The Secret" and promotion of the Law Of Attraction [LOA] which has become the financial juggernaut that all of the aforementioned motivational writers and trainers have jumped onto.

• However, when you read and reflect on Wattles' writing it rapidly becomes apparent that several key aspects of Wattles' approach have been left out of the popularised LOA teachings and I will highlight these points below.

• It also becomes very clear that distortions have arisen, resulting in the ridiculous and offensive belief taught in the LOA [and especially by Byrnes' and "Abraham Hicks'" teachings] that all illness, poverty and suffering is directly the result of the thoughts of the sufferers.

The Science Of Getting Rich - Guidelines On How To Read It

When reading The Science Of Getting Rich it is important to bear in mind the following points:

# The Language Is 100 Years Old

The language and terminology used in 1910 is a little different to contemporary use of certain ideas and phrases.

Be aware of this. Adopting a "fundamentalist" and literalist view of his terminology does not help.

Focus on the core, proven, actionable steps.

# Drop The Philosophy - Drop The "Woo Woo" and Pseudo-Science & Focus On The Principles

Wattles' philosophical outlook is rooted in a monistic view of life i.e. that everything is created from one core substance. He may or may not be right. It is unprovable and whilst it is an interesting and speculative idea it can be a distraction. 

You do not need to understand, accept or share that philosophical perspective to apply the success principles that he outlines.

I recommend that you drop the philosophy and concentrate on the principles of thought and action that he outlines.

# Drop The Speculation - The Metaphysics Of How This Stuff All Works Is Unprovable

Following on from that thought, I suggest that you accept that how all this stuff works is unprovable and don't waste time on unproductive speculation and accept that we will never categorically get a definitive handle on the truth about consciousness and reality.

If you can accept this, then approach this in an experimental frame of mind and I propose the guidelines outlined here.

# Choose Your Belief: Is Life Benign, Neutral Or Malign?  Then Test It

You can either view life / the universe [or whatever you want to label it] as neutral, malign or benign.

I choose to take the view that it is benign and supportive and watching your back, and my life experience has supported that view.

Its your call, but I would suggest you put it to the test.

I have framed this as:

# "Thinking In A Certain Way" Is NOT A Mystery Nor Does It Support LOA Pseudo Science Non-sense

Don't get confused or hung up on Wattles' terminology about thinking in a certain way. See point 6. below.

There is nothing mysterious about this.

Forget all the unproven pseudo science in the LOA about thoughts having resonance. That's all "smoke and mirrors" used to justify the LOA "sell" and to extract your money.

It makes the core actionable principles in Wattles' teaching seem more deep and mysterious than it really needs to be.
The Law Of Response And Outcome

The Science Of Getting Rich - 10 Key Principles

These are the key principles that Wallace Wattles outlines in The Science Of Getting Rich. He suggests that if you follow these ways of thinking and acting in your life you will achieve success:

1. To Grow Rich Is To Fulfill Your Potential

Wattles was born into a life and time of great poverty in the US and understandably formed the view that creating financial wealth is a pre-cursor to leading a fulfilled life.

I have friends living in grinding poverty in the Third World where this is quite literally a matter of life and death and thus a very present reality.

In present times where incomes and businesses are being destroyed as a result of Governmental incompetence in handling the Covid outbreak these principles will have resonance.

In The Science Of Getting Rich, Wattles is NOT saying that greed is good and he is NOT saying that the accumulation of personal wealth is the sole point of these teachings. This is about fulfilling your potential.

This is about taking a balanced view of life and acknowledging that whilst money plays a part in fulfilling your potential money is not the end itself, money is the means to the end of fulfilling your potential.

As Wattles sees it, creating wealth and abundance in your life allows you to fully embrace your potential:

“The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.”

2. Opportunity Is Not Limited - There Are Infinite Opportunities - The Power Of Expectation

The Science Of Getting Rich suggests that you if allow the possibility yourself that anything is possible, it will enable you to be open to opportunities outside of your current scope and reality.

A significant component of the power of any success strategy lies in the expectation that you will achieve your goal or objective.

Whatever you expect - of yourself, your career, your relationships, your life - sets the limit of what is possible for you.

You invariably rise to the limits of your own expectations in life

 "If you believe that you can do a thing, or if you believe you cannot, in either case, you are right."

3. Thought AND Action NOW Creates Success

The Science Of Getting Rich is very emphatic on this point.

Action is critical.

Contrary to what the LOA teaches you, thought alone achieves nothing.

"...you must not rely upon thought alone, paying no attention to personal action. That is the rock upon which many otherwise scientific metaphysical thinkers meet shipwreck - the failure to connect thought with personal action..."

"...by thought, the thing you want is brought to you; by action you receive it..."

Wattles is also very clear that the only time and place to take action is NOW - here in the present moment, and with whatever presents itself as the next step.

It doesn't matter that you can not see HOW it will bring your envisioned goal into your life.

In modern language Wattles is saying: "Drop The How!"

So to repeat, action now in the present moment has to happen for you to eventually receive what you want.

"Put your whole mind into present action."

4. Create, Not Compete

The Science Of Getting Rich suggests that there is enough in this world for everyone.

Wattles draws an important distincton between competition and creation.

Competition means "I win you lose" whereas creation means "I win you win".

This is a philosophical perspective, and frankly it is hard to prove the validity of the concept one way or the other, but I feel this makes much more sense in the context of the next point about value.

5. Give Value [The Power Of Over Delivering]

This is something else that is missing in the LOA teachings.

The Science Of Getting Rich is emphatic that you should always give more value to someone than what you receive in exchange for it.

This is known as over delivering.

This does not mean discounting on price it means figuring out what is important to the other person and doing your best to exceed their expectations.

This is all about giving and increase in value to the other party. These things will have little or usually no monetary cost to you but they can add considerable perceived value to the recipient.

You will create business from operating this way as this will be what you are known for and people will want to work with you or buy from you as people will go where they are ‘given increase’.

Exceeding expectations and over delivering is good for you as it weakens your own ego-centricity and generates a higher energy within you - which leads naturally onto the next point about gratitude...

6. Practice Gratitude

The Science Of Getting Rich recommends that you cultivate a mindset of gratitude

Gratitude releases you from your attachment and "stuckness" to negative feelings, and it automatically generates a positive energy within you.

Being grateful for the things you already have, allows your mind to also expand into being grateful for the thing you are yet to receive.

7. Guard Your Thoughts From Negativity

The Science Of Getting Rich makes clear that you are not your thoughts and that learning how to live with your thoughts is absolutely critical.

Learning how to be aware of your thoughts - especially the unconscious ones - and how to accept your thoughts are very necessary skills for succeeding with this creative process as we live in a participatory universe.

Underlying every thought is an energetic state therefore it is important to be aware of any negative thoughts as they arise and to have the tools and resources to deal with them, and as referred to extensively on this site, the practise of mindfulness is extremely helpful in this regard.

What matters is not the content of your thoughts but your relationship with your thoughts

8. Act To Your Fullest Ability In All Things

This is about showing up for the work. Not just about your work, but any tasks that you do should be done to the best of your ability, no holds barred. 

Each day do as much as you can achieve, and do it efficiently.

The Science Of Getting Rich is very clear about the need to take action  - and act on inner prompts, guidance and intuitions as they arise and do so to very the best of your ability.

When you act, just do it.

Don't think about it and let go of attachment to the outcome.

“You can advance only by being larger than your present place; and no man is larger than his present place who leaves undone any of the work pertaining to that place.”

9. Accept The Gestation Period - There Is No Rush - And  Do Not Worry About Obstacles

In The Science Of Getting Rich, Wattles says that there is no need to hurry. If you are operating in the creative sphere and not the competitive, no one is going to beat you to the thing you want to do. If you find yourself rushing, slow down and remember to keep in mind what you desire whilst expressing gratitude that you are to receive it. This very act strengthens your faith and renews your purpose.

Life works in cycles and that does involve waiting, in other words, a gestation period. Given that it can take months and often years for your goals to come to fruition, persistence - coupled with consistence - is everything.

Then there are the hold ups, blockages and setbacks. There is much "trial and error", this is period of deep learning, development and putting down deep roots. It IS hard.

This attrition factor is what wears so many people down and causes them to doubt their purpose, or worse, to "throw in the towel".

So our whole attitude to the gestation period is the critical variable in developing our knowledge and skills, and putting down the roots that will enable us to attain our objective.

The bedrock foundation of the power of positive thinking is our ability to stay persistent even when - especially when - we are unable to see any growth on the surface.

In a culture driven by instant gratification – this is our biggest challenge.

10. Failure Is Only Apparent - Your Relationship With Failure Is Critical To Your Success

The Science Of Getting Rich suggests that we should never feel disappointed that something hasn’t worked out as planned.  

You may perceive it as failure but hold to your faith and you will see failure is only apparent.

Something better is on it’s way to you which will make that apparent failure a true success.

Your relationship with failure is critical to your success.

Some years ago I was being mentored by a man who had achieved considerable business and financial success in the oil business - he had closed 9 major fuel contracts and made millions.

I recall once having a conversation one day when I asked him what he thought was the key to his success.

He told me something that has stayed with me through every failure I have experienced since then. He said:

"...one of the key things that has contributed to my success is that I am prepared to fail more times than everyone else in this business."

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