Grow Rich While You Sleep [Hardcover]

Written in a typical 1960's style, it is simple in content and repeats many of it's basic ideas. However, it is that outdated writing style that makes this the kind of classic book you pick up and read again and again. Although nothing in the book strikes me as being innovative (even for it's time), it does touch on numerous classic success principles in an uplifting, easy to read format.

One of these principles is discussed in the statement, "Man is a mind with a body." A simple truth, but one that we often fail to think about. Other priciples include..."One works harder at being a failure than at being a success"; "You are twice as good as you think you are"; "Picture the condition you want; not the condition you are attempting to overcome"; and many others.

Especially interesting to me was the chapter, "Money: a Myth." This chapter touches on the concept that we really own nothing, as all items are given without cost by nature. When we buy, we are buying labor. Labor is what takes the raw materials that nature has already given us and creates the products we then perceive as having value. We truly only have the "use" of material things, and how long we keep them depends on the care we give them. The end of this chapter states, "Do not give up your quest for dollars but seek them in connection with your objectives."

The bulk of the book discusses positive thinking, visualizing success, affirmations and developing a do it now attitude. If you have read and enjoyed "Think and Grow Rich" and other books by Napoleon Hill, "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz, or "The Magic of Believing" by Claude Bristol, you are likely to enjoy this book as well.

The title, "Grow Rich While you Sleep", did not hit it's mark, although there are several areas of the book where it discusses turning your desires over to your "creative mind" and then letting it do it's job while you sleep. Personally, I believe the title was just a typical sales pitch of the era that really didn't focus on the books main message.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and found it to be very motivational . "I like to think of enthusiasm as thought aglow", the author states. I thought that was a wonderful definition of the word. Reading this book is certain to put your "thoughts aglow".... and what more can you ask of a book than that?

Had I not read "Three Magic Words," last month, 2 times, I would be more excited about "Grow Rich While You Sleep."

That having been said, I still vote this as a 5, because I have gained some great ideas from reading this book.

For example, early on, the author asks, "What is the greatest good one may expect from riches?"

Had I not read other books, I would probably have listed material things, but the answers that I wrote in the margins are: confidence; choices; living exactly where you want to live; and freedom to explore life on an entirely new level.

This led me to ask new questions regarding each of these benefits. Which of course led me to focus upon examples of myself having and expressing all of these.

One thing that I didn't care for, in this book, is that many of the examples are dated.

I had to tell myself to get pass this, so that I could really benefit from reading this wonderful book.

And in my growth, I realized that "Grow Rich While You Sleep," is about creating mental pictures of yourself in the act of solving your problems -- not having your problems solved, but in the act of solving those problems.

When I listed problems that I was facing it turned out that even though before buying this book I felt worried, I saw that I only had 3 problems.

With the affirmations that are in this book, as well as those that I created, which I use just before going to sleep, have guided me to wake up with solutions, that have netted me more than I expected.

Remember, "a problem wouldn't be a problem, if there wasn't a solution."

When you are about to fall asleep, if you will allow the room to be totally dark, with no sounds in the room, close your eyes. Inhale through your nose. Hold it for 5 seconds. Then exhale it for 5 seconds.

Next, while keeping your eyes closed, ask yourself what you see. You will notice, as the author has pointed out some geometric shapes. You will also be free to silently instruct your mind to find solutions for you, that will empower you, the next day.

And this works.