The Six Steps to Transmuting Desire into Gold
A precise six-step method for converting a burning desire for wealth into its monetary equivalent through definiteness, planning, and daily visualization.
Hill's Six Steps form the operational engine of his entire philosophy. The process begins by fixing in your mind the exact amount of money you desire — not a vague wish for 'plenty of money' but a precise figure. You then determine what you will give in return, because there is no something for nothing. Next you set a definite date for acquisition and create a specific plan, beginning immediately whether you feel ready or not. You write a clear statement combining all four elements and read it aloud twice daily — once before bed, once upon waking — while seeing, feeling, and believing yourself already in possession of the money. The method works because repeated emotional engagement with a definite goal reprograms the subconscious mind from poverty consciousness to money consciousness, which then attracts the plans, people, and circumstances needed to achieve the goal. Carnegie, Edison, and over 500 wealthy individuals validated these steps.
- Riches begin with a state of mind and definiteness of purpose, not hard work alone
- Wishing will not bring riches — only a desire that becomes an obsession, backed by definite plans and persistence, will bring riches
- You must become money conscious until the desire for money drives you to create definite plans
- If you do not see great riches in your imagination, you will never see them in your bank balance
- All who have accumulated great fortunes first did a certain amount of dreaming, hoping, wishing, desiring, and planning before they acquired money
- Fix the Exact AmountFix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. Do not say 'I want plenty of money.' Be definite as to the amount. There is a psychological reason for this definiteness — the subconscious mind responds to precision, not vagueness.Pro tipChoose a number that stretches you but that you can emotionally connect to. If the number feels absurd and triggers disbelief, it will not penetrate the subconscious.
- Determine What You Will GiveDetermine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. There is no such reality as something for nothing. The universe operates on exchange — define your contribution clearly.Pro tipThink in terms of service, value, and specialized knowledge you can offer, not just hours of labor.
- Set a Definite DateEstablish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire. A deadline creates urgency and signals commitment to the subconscious mind.Pro tipMake the date challenging but credible. An impossible deadline breeds cynicism; a lazy one breeds complacency.
- Create a Definite Plan and Begin ImmediatelyCreate a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action. Readiness is an illusion that delays action indefinitely.Pro tipYour first plan does not need to be perfect. If it fails, replace it with another. The key is continuous motion toward the goal.WarningMost people meet failure at this step because they lack persistence in creating new plans to replace those that fail.
- Write a Clear StatementWrite out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.Pro tipKeep this statement on your person or beside your bed. The physical act of writing engages the subconscious differently than merely thinking.
- Read Aloud Twice Daily with EmotionRead your written statement aloud twice daily — once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read, see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money. This step is the most important of all.Pro tipEmotion is the catalyst. Reading without feeling is mechanical repetition. You must generate the actual sensation of already having achieved the goal.WarningDo not skip or rush this step. The entire method depends on feeding the subconscious mind a clear picture mixed with faith and emotion.
These six steps were given to Hill by Andrew Carnegie, who began as an ordinary laborer in the steel mills and used them to accumulate over one hundred million dollars. Hill then had the steps scrutinized by Thomas Edison, who placed his stamp of approval on them as essential not only for accumulating money but for attaining any definite goal. Hill spent 20 years testing them with hundreds of successful people before publishing them as the core method in Think and Grow Rich.