‼️ Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill ‼️

 53/∞

“Use your own mind instead of fearing the masses.“

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

👉 Buy this book! 👈 through my link and help me build this website! 😊

📚 Length: 288 pages

🔊Audiobook: 5 hours and 51 minutes

Why you should read this book?

💡Even though this book was written in 1938, it offers countless timeless principles anyone can relate up to this day.

💡The book is an imaginary interview between Napoleon Hill and his majesty the Devil himself.

💡Napoleon Hill feared impact of this book in 1930’ therefore was only published in 2011. 

Napoleon Hill is one of the first influences organising seminars and teaching people how to be successful. You may have heard about his timeless classic called Think and Grow Rich (also reviewed by der Kaiser 👑) where he introduced principles many motivational speakers use it to this very day like the principle called 3 feet from gold.

Nevertheless, Outwitting the Devil is a different kind of book, because it hasn’t been published until 2011. The book itself was written in 1938 and the only reason why it was not published is its controversy. In this book, Napoleon Hill leads a fictional interview with the devil 😈 himself. He addresses the Devil as his majesty and asks him why the system is set up in the way that it not benefits the people.

In this book we can find harsh criticism of educational system. I personally liked this part a lot. Napoleon Hill asks why children are not taught in school anything useful. The educational system serves more or the less as a system to place the workforce to factories. Which could be beautifully illustrated on the case of the Czech Rep. Local schools only produce mindless factory workers instead of bright innovative minds.

My perception is that in 1938 the world was way more religious then it is today. To lead an interview with the Devil might have given many people a heart attack. The way it is written is interesting at least. I also would say that it makes sense to read this book today, because it contains number of timeless principles one can easily apply now.

But you are probably already asking how was the book?

…

The devil was created to seduce, to destroy and to gain control over people. He does that through many principles

Hypnotic rhythm and habit of drifting

Hypnotic rhythm refers to deeply ingrained habits. It is something we do so often we are not even aware of it. It could be both: positive and negative.

Positive hypnotic rhythm benefits us and is actively helping us to succeed. Let’s say going to the gym, well spent time with friends… Positive thinking and so on. Negative hypnotic rhythm would involve smoking, taking drugs, thinking always about negative outcomes and so on.

Habit of drifting is how the devil gains control of people. 

Who is the drifter?

Drifter takes on the first job he is offered. He doesn’t care about the deals he makes. He surrounds himself with negative people and never escapes his negative hypnotic rhythm.

It is important to note: There is no such a thing as too much caution. Caution and fear are two different things. It is always better to be cautious.

Is it possible to escape being a drifter?

Yes, it is. Though definiteness of purpose an individual may achieve whatever it is that it wants.

The power of fear

The Devil likes to seduce people from their paths by imposing fear over them. Once they fear something, they start to drift away from their goals and ambition. Your mind has to be stronger than your circumstances. Only you can break out of the cycle of toxic thoughts and set yourself free.

Poverty as a disease 

If your mind fears poverty, then you attract poverty. Think big, try to find new ways and you shall succeed.

Self-discipline

I was surprised that fasting is mentioned in this book. In is not described as fasting but more as regulating urges for food, sex, and expression of unorganised thoughts.

1. Fasting
2. Drive for sex
3. Organising one’s thoughts and not acting in

Self-discipline grants one to breaking out of the habit of drifting.

Learning from Adversity

Is failure a benefit to people? Even though it might not seem to be that way it is.

Never stop trying. Keep fighting and you shall win.

Environment

As already stated by Gabor Maté in The Myth of Normal (also reviewed by der Kaiser 👑) the harmonious environment is the key to growth. Do not be afraid to change your environment and surround yourself with people who do you enjoy and who support you in your endeavour.

Kaiser’s Verdict: 👍

It is a nice book, it will definitely help you.

👉 Buy this book! 👈 through my link and help me build this website! 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Feel free to like, share and comment or recommend books/courses you find inspirational yourself. I’m keen to hear about them.

Coming Up Next:

When the Body Says No, the cost of hidden stress by Gabor Maté

Peace 🧘‍♂️✌️🌱