Think and Grow Rich test: Is it possible that someone has a negative influence on your mind?
January 18th, 2010 by JD
My answers to the Think and Grow Rich Self-Assessment Test
Recently, I was reminded of the self-assessment test in Napoleon Hill’s best-selling book, Think and Grow Rich.
There are fifty-four questions in that test, and I’m going to be giving my answers and thoughts on one or two of them as close to daily as I can manage. I may miss a day here or there, but I’m going to follow through until I reach the end of the test.
I’ve started the series of posts with:
Question Number 40. Is it possible that some close friend or associate has a negative influence on your mind?
I’ve been thinking about this question for a few days before attempting an answer.
Currently, I don’t think that it is possible that any friends or associates can have a negative influence on my mind.
Just about all of the people I know are either neutral or positive influences, and I like it that way.
In the past, when I was much younger and much less selective in the people with whom I chose to associate, the answer would have been yes.
Over the decades, however, I’ve learned how to be more selective and I’m happy to say that I’m pleased with my friends and associates. They’re a great bunch of people and are supportive of each other, even when we have differing beliefs and opinions regarding things like politics, religion, and other issues that can be hot buttons for some people.
I’m happy to be part of such a tolerant and supportive group.
What about you?
Is it possible that some close friend or associate has a negative influence on your mind?
Act on your dream!
JD
This entry was posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 5:04 pm and is filed under Books, Self-Improvement, Success and Failure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 18th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I will say no, but with a caveat. I have had clients who have made me feel that way, and luckily I’ve gotten out of the relationship fairly quickly. I don’t have any friends who do that to me, but I have friends who have problems, and thus are distressed and feeling negatively. Instead of being imbued with that I turn it around and make them feel more positive about things and make them start thinking positively. Once they realize they can’t bring me down, then they’re ready to go.
Not to say I’m positive 24/7, but when I’m down I keep to myself so I can’t bring anyone else down. Luckily, it doesn’t last long.
Mitch´s last blog ..King Holiday #24
January 18th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Good afternoon, Mitch.
I always enjoy reading your comments and your take on these questions.
Now that you mention it, I’ve had clients in the past (or some potential clients) that made me feel like they were trying to control me and, like you, I got out of those situations as quickly as I could.
I may be one of those people who had problems last year and was feeling negative much of the year. I look back on some of the things I wrote and, even though I was trying to find the positive aspects of the situation and to remain optimistic, some of them were much more negative than usual.
I think I’ve turned that around now and I really appreciate your support during a very trying time.
I wasn’t trying to be a negative influence on you or anyone else, but that may have been one of the effects.
Perhaps we bloggers should not be allowed to write when we’re feeling down. Keeping to ourselves during the down times may be a better idea.
At least, it’s good to know that instead of worrying about people who have a negative influence on us, I think we’re lucky to have people who are positive and supportive to help us through the down times.
All the best,
JD
January 18th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Actually, writing when you’re down is good for you, very cathartic in fact. We feed off the energy of others, and sometimes do it better when someone else is down because we all naturally want to help others. My hope is that every once in awhile I helped to make you feel better, even if I didn’t quite give you something you could use in a different way.
Heck, that’s why I go off on a rant from time to time. It gets it out of my head, and I get to see if I’m just off or if others are thinking the same thing.
Mitch´s last blog ..Are You A Lurker Or Participant In Life?
January 19th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Good afternoon, Mitch.
It may be true that it can be cathartic to write when we feel down. I’ve done a lot of that, but generally I re-read it and delete it. It helps me get it out of my system and usually doesn’t need to be shared.
You did help me feel better, several times. I appreciate it.
Now and then, a good public rant really does clear out the head.
All the best,
JD