"The Science of Getting Rich" is a self-help book written by Wallace D. Wattles. Published in 1910, the book provides a systematic approach to accumulating wealth and achieving success. Wattles' philosophy is based on the premise that the universe is abundant and that everyone has the potential to become wealthy and successful.
While the book is over 100 years old, the principles outlined by Wattles are still relevant today and can be applied by anyone seeking to achieve success in their personal or professional lives. Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply looking to improve your financial situation, this timeless classic will provide you with valuable resources that can help you achieve your goals.
“There are three motives for which we live, we live for the body, we live for the mind, we live for the soul. No one of these is better or holier than the other. All are alike desirable, and no one of the three—body, mind, or soul—can live fully if either of the others is cut short of full life and expression.”
I recently finished reading the book and I’m positively inspired. The book is divided into 17 chapters, each of which addresses a different aspect of the science of getting rich which are as follows:
01. The right to be rich: Everyone has the inherent right to achieve financial abundance and prosperity
Wattles argues every person has the inherent right to become rich, and it is not only possible but also desirable for everyone to achieve financial abundance. Wattles believes that the universe is abundant and that there is no shortage of wealth or resources. There is no virtue in poverty and it is our birthright to enjoy abundance and prosperity. However, he also emphasizes that the desire for wealth must be coupled with the desire to create value for others.
Wattles suggests the right to be rich is not just about personal gain or selfish ambition. He says that the desire for wealth is natural and healthy and that it can be a powerful motivator to create value for others. In fact, it is our duty to become rich and to contribute to society through our wealth.
“The purpose of nature is the advancement and unfoldment of life, and every man should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life, to be content with less is sinful.”
The idea of the right to be rich can help us to overcome limiting beliefs about wealth and abundance. By embracing the belief that we have the inherent right to become rich, we can tap into the abundance of the universe and create a life of prosperity and fulfillment.
“If you want to help the poor, demonstrate to them that they can become rich, prove it by getting rich yourself.”
02. A Science of getting rich: Involves a set of principles and laws that can be learned and applied to achieve financial success and personal fulfillment
Wattles writes the science of getting rich is based on certain principles and laws that govern the universe. These principles include the power of positive thinking, the law of attraction, and the importance of taking action toward our goals.
“Go on in a certain way, and if you do not receive that thing, you will receive something so much better that you will see that the seeming failure was really a great success.”
He also emphasizes that the science of getting rich is not a matter of luck or chance. Rather, it is a predictable and reproducible process that anyone can follow. He asserts that by understanding and applying these principles, we can create the conditions for wealth and success to manifest in our lives.
“If getting rich is the result of doing things in a certain way, and if like causes always produce like effects, then any man or woman who can do things in that way can become rich, and the whole matter is brought within the domain of exact science.”
03. Monopolized opportunity: Certain individuals or groups have exclusive control over opportunities, limiting access to others is a flawed view
In this chapter, Wattles challenges the belief that opportunity is monopolized by certain individuals or groups. He explains that the universe is abundant and that there is more than enough opportunity to go around.
The idea of opportunity being monopolized is a limiting belief that prevents people from realizing their full potential. He says that anyone can create their own opportunities by applying the principles of the science of getting rich, including positive thinking, taking action, and developing their talents and abilities.
“An ounce of doing things is worth a pound of theorizing.”
Furthermore, the universe is constantly expanding and evolving, creating new opportunities for growth and prosperity. Wattles emphasizes the importance of aligning ourselves with this expansive energy and tapping into the abundance of the universe.
“Nature is formed for the advancement of life, its impelling motive is the increase of life. For this cause, everything which can possibly minister to life is bountifully provided, there can no lack unless God is to contradict himself and nullify His own works.”
Finally, the idea that opportunity is monopolized is a limiting belief that can hold us back from achieving our full potential. By embracing the principles of the science of getting rich and recognizing the abundance of the universe, we can create our own opportunities and achieve financial success and personal fulfillment.
04. The first principle in the science of getting rich: The power of thought
Here, Wattles says that everything begins with a thought and that our thoughts are the starting point of all creation.
According to him, our thoughts have a creative power that can shape our reality. By focusing our thoughts on our desired outcomes and holding them consistently in our minds, we can attract the resources and opportunities we need to achieve our goals.
“To do things in a way you want to do them, you will have to acquire the ability to think the way you want to think; this is the first step toward getting rich.”
Wattles also emphasizes that the power of thought is not just about positive thinking or wishful dreaming. It requires a clear and definite purpose, as well as the willingness to take action towards our goals. By aligning our thoughts, feelings, and actions with our desired outcomes, we can create a powerful force that attracts success and abundance into our lives.
Furthermore, the power of thought is not limited by external circumstances or conditions. Rather, it is an internal force that we can cultivate and develop through focused attention and practice.
“To think what you want to think is to think truth, regardless of appearances. Every man has the natural and inherent power to think what he wants to think, but it requires far more effort to do so than it does to think the thoughts which are suggested by appearances. To think according to appearance is easy, to think truth regardless of appearances is laborious, and requires the expenditure of more power than any other work man is called upon to perform.”
05. Increasing life: Expanding and enhancing all aspects of our existence, including our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being
According to Wattles, increasing life involves developing our talents and abilities, cultivating positive relationships, and striving for excellence in all areas of our lives. By continually expanding our capacity for joy, creativity, and abundance, we create the conditions for greater success and fulfillment.
Furthermore, the author believes that increasing life is not just about personal growth and development. It is also about contributing to the greater good and making a positive impact on the world around us. He says that by living a life of purpose and service, we can tap into the abundance of the universe and create even greater opportunities for success and prosperity.
“ What the author wants is that you should make the most of yourself, for yourself and for others, and you can help others more by making the most of yourself than in any other way.
You can make the most of yourself only by getting rich, so it is right and praiseworthy that you should give your first and best thought to the work of acquiring wealth.”
06. How riches come to you: Aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions with your desired outcomes, and by creating value and contributing to the world around you
The riches come to us by applying the principles of the science of getting rich. These principles involve aligning our thoughts, feelings, and actions with our desired outcomes, creating value, and contributing to the world around us.
The author explains that the acquisition of wealth is not a matter of luck or chance, but a result of the conscious and deliberate application of the laws of the universe. He also says that we can create our own opportunities for financial success and personal fulfillment by developing our talents and abilities, and by focusing on providing value to others.
Finally, the acquisition of wealth is not just about personal gain, but also about contributing to the greater good. By creating value and contributing to the world around us, we tap into the abundance of the universe and create even greater opportunities for success and prosperity.
“There is abundance of opportunity for the man who will go with the tide, instead of trying to swim against it.”
07. Gratitude: The act of acknowledging and appreciating the good things we have in our lives, whether they are big or small
By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives and expressing gratitude for them, we can attract even greater abundance and blessings. Moreover, gratitude is not just a way to attract wealth and success, but also a way to cultivate a sense of joy, contentment, and fulfillment.
In the book, Wattles suggests that we should express gratitude regularly and consistently, whether through prayer, meditation, or simply acknowledging the good things in our lives. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we can shift our focus away from lack and scarcity and towards abundance and prosperity.
“The creative power within us makes us into the image of that to which we give our attention.”
08. Thinking in a certain way: Thinking in alignment and focusing on abundance and success and avoiding negative thoughts and beliefs
According to this chapter, our thoughts and beliefs have a powerful influence on our experiences and outcomes in life. Therefore, we must cultivate a mindset that is focused on abundance and success, rather than lack and limitation.
We should avoid thoughts of doubt, fear, and worry, and instead focus on thoughts of confidence, faith, and gratitude. Moreover, the author believes that thinking in a certain way involves not only our conscious thoughts but also our subconscious beliefs and emotions.
To think in a certain way, we must reprogram our subconscious mind with positive and empowering beliefs and thoughts. This can be achieved through the repetition of positive affirmations, visualization, and other techniques that reinforce our desired outcomes and beliefs.
“Go on in a certain way, and if you do not receive that thing, you will receive something so much better that you will see that the seeming failure was really a great success.”
09. Using of will: Learning how to direct and focus our willpower towards achieving our desired outcomes and goals in life
The will is the mental faculty that enables us to focus our thoughts and energy toward achieving our desired outcomes and goals in life.
The proper use of the will involves directing our thoughts and actions toward our desired outcomes with clarity, persistence, and faith. Moreover, the use of the will requires us to overcome any doubts, fears, or limiting beliefs that may hinder our progress toward our goals.
To use the will effectively, Wattles suggests that we must develop a clear and definite purpose, along with a burning desire to achieve our goals. We must also cultivate the ability to visualize and mentally rehearse our desired outcomes, and to maintain a state of faith and expectancy that our goals will be realized.
“The poor don’t need charity, they need inspiration. Charity only sends them a loaf of bread to keep them alive in their wretchedness or gives them the entertainment to make them forget for an hour or two, but inspiration will cause them to rise out of their misery. If you want to help the poor, demonstrate to them that they can become rich, prove by getting rich yourself.”
10. Efficient action: Taking purposeful and effective steps towards achieving a desired outcome in the most productive and efficient manner possible
To take efficient action, we must first have a clear and definite purpose, along with a burning desire to achieve our goals. It requires us to be persistent and focused and to avoid wasting time and energy on non-productive activities or distractions. He suggests that we must also cultivate a spirit of cooperation and harmony with others, recognizing that our success is interconnected with the success of others.
Finally, the importance of taking action in a state of gratitude and expectancy, maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude toward our goals and trusting that the universe will provide us with the resources and opportunities we need to achieve them.
“Every act can be made strong and efficient by holding your vision while you are doing it, and putting the whole power of your faith and purpose into it.”
11. Getting into the right business: Identifying a profitable and sustainable market opportunity that aligns with your skills, passions, and values, and investing your time, resources, and efforts to build a successful enterprise
Getting into the right business requires us to be persistent, resilient, and adaptable, and to embrace continuous learning and improvement as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the marketplace. He suggests that we must also cultivate a strong sense of purpose and passion for our work, and focus on creating value for our customers and society as a whole.
“Do all that you can do in a perfect manner every day, but do it without haste, worry, or fear. Go as fast as you can, but never hurry. Remember that in the moment you begin to hurry you cease to be a creator and become a competitor, you drop back upon the old plane again. Whenever you find yourself hurrying, call a halt, fix your attention on the mental image of the thing you want, and begin to give thanks that you are getting it. The exercise of gratitude will never fail to strengthen your faith and renew your purpose.”
One of the key messages of the book is the importance of giving value to others in order to receive value in return. Wattles argues that wealth is created through the exchange of value and that in order to receive abundance, one must provide value to others through their work or business.
“However, do not hesitate or waver for fear that when you come to any certain place you will fail for lack of ability, keep right on, and when you come to that place, the ability will be furnished to you. The same source of the ability which enabled the untaught Lincoln to do the greatest work in government ever accomplished by a single man is open to you, you may draw upon all the mind there is for wisdom to use in meeting the responsibilities which are laid upon you. Go on in full faith.”
Finally, “All you need is to know what you want, and to want it badly enough so that it will stay in your thoughts.”
