The Longest Journey Is The Journey Inward
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
…However, its also the most worthwhile journey to take.
The more I read and study personal development through the teachings of the great “thinkers” and philosophers of our time and throughout history, the more I’m faced with the fact that there’s a whole lot that I don’t know!
There are so many things that I just was not taught. I just turned 34 this March and so I’m glad that I’m coming across all of this information now while I still consider myself “young” lol.
But honestly, thats not to say that someone who is of a certain age can’t get around new information and change the way they think about certain things…..
…I’m just saying that from my experience, it’s way harder for older folks. And thats understandable because obviously the longer you do something the harder it is to break the habit of doing it.
Ya gotta associate with the right people. PERIOD!
Now, for me this particular book I was reading -”Think and Grow Rich”- there is a chapter that, as I was reading it, I thought about how I used to live (and in some cases still do).
I used to want to influence things and people in my life by trying to change them. Or trying to conform their ways to my ways. Sometimes through subtle ways. Sometimes blatantly. Sometimes subconsciously. Sometimes knowingly.
See, I used to think that all I had to do was have a lot of money and I could accomplish this task. And so thats what I did. Hustled in the street and made a whole lot of money.
There were two things wrong with that. One was my philosophy on my methods of acquiring money(alllll wrong!). And the second is what i’m gonna be talking about here in this post today- influence really comes from the person not the position.
hmmmmm.
Thats deep. So in other words to me that means that its not about the things that you possess and the money that you have its about the character that you’ve cultivated. Its about the person you’ve become thats gonna determine the lives that you impact (positively). Once that’s achieved, then you not only able to influence more lives but you start to actually begin to inspire people to want to do better.
That’s powerful my friend 
Mr. Hill says in this book and more specifically in this chapter that this all starts with
The Journey Inward.
Basically asking yourself certain questions and taking the time to answer them. Then taking the initiative to seek counsel to help you along the way after you’ve completed this exercise that Im gonna put here on this post today.
Im inviting you to take this worthwhile journey of life with me. Its gonna be a bumpy ride im sure but just remember to treat it like most everything else in life and be here in the moment because this is big! Enjoy
================================================================
SELF-ANALYSIS TEST QUESTIONS
Do you complain often of “feeling bad,” and if so, what is the cause?
Do you find fault with other people at the slightest provocation?
Do you frequently make mistakes in your work, and if so, why?
Are you sarcastic and offensive in your conversation? Doyou deliberately avoid the association of anyone, and if so, why?
Doyou suffer frequently with indigestion? If so, what is the cause?
Does life seem futile and the future hopeless to you? If so, why?
Do you like your occupation? If not, why?
Do you often feel self-pity, and if so why?
Are you envious of those who excel you?
To which do you devote most time, thinking of SUCCESS, or of FAILURE?
Are you gaining or losing self-confidence as you grow older?
Do you learn something of value from all mistakes? Are you permitting some relative or acquaintance to worry you? If so, why?
Are you sometimes “in the clouds” and at other times in the depths of despondency?
Who has the most inspiring influence upon you? What is the cause?
Do you tolerate negative or discouraging influences which you can avoid?
Are you careless of your personal appearance? If so, when and why?
Have you learned how to “drown your troubles” by being too busy to be annoyed by them?
Would you call yourself a “spineless weakling” if you permitted others to do your thinking for you?
Do you neglect internal bathing until auto-intoxication makes you ill-tempered and irritable?
How many preventable disturbances annoy you, and why do you tolerate them?
Doyou resort to liquor, narcotics, or cigarettes to “quiet your nerves”? If so, why do you not try will-power instead?
Does anyone “nag” you, and if so, for what reason?
Do you have a DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE, and if so, what is it, and what plan have you for achieving it?
Do you suffer from any of the Six Basic Fears? If so, which ones?
Have you a method by which you can shield yourself against the negative influence of others?
Do you make deliberate use of auto-suggestion to make your mind positive?
Which do you value most, your material possessions, or your privilege of controlling your own thoughts?
Are you easily influenced by others, against your own judgment?
Has today added anything of value to your stock of knowledge or state of mind?
Do you face squarely the circumstances which make you unhappy, or sidestep the responsibility?
Do you analyze all mistakes and failures and try to profit by them or, do you take the attitude that this is not your duty?
Can you name three of your most damaging weaknesses? What are you doing to correct them?
Do you encourage other people to bring their worries to you for sympathy?
Do you choose, from your daily experiences, lessons or influences which aid in your personal advancement?
Does your presence have a negative influence on other people as a rule?
What habits of other people annoy you most?
Do you form your own opinions or permit yourself to be influenced by other people?
Have you learned how to create a mental state of mind with which you can shield yourself against all discouraging influences?
Does your occupation inspire you with faith and hope?
Are you conscious of possessing spiritual forces of sufficient power to enable you to keep your mind free from all forms of FEAR?
Does your religion help you to keep your own mind positive?
Do you feel it your duty to share other people’s worries? If so, why?
If you believe that “birds of a feather flock together” what have you learned about yourself by studying the friends whom you attract?
What connection, if any, do you see between the people with whom you associate most closely, and any unhappiness you may experience?
Could it be possible that some person whom you consider to be a friend is, in reality, your worst enemy, because of his negative influence on your mind?
By what rules do you judge who is helpful and who is damaging to you?
Are your intimate associates mentally superior or inferior to you?
How much time out of every 24 hours do you devote to:
- your occupation
- sleep
- play and relaxation
- acquiring useful knowledge
- plain waste
Who among your acquaintances,
- encourages you most
- cautions you most
- discourages you most
- helps you most in other ways
What is your greatest worry?
Why do you tolerate it?
When others offer you free, unsolicited advice, do you accept it without question, or analyze their motive?
What, above all else, do you most DESIRE?
Do you intend to acquire it?
Are you willing to subordinate all other desires for this one?
How much time daily do you devote to acquiring it? Do you change your mind often?
If so, why?
Do you usually finish everything you begin?
Are you easily impressed by other people’s business or professional titles, college degrees, or wealth?
Are you easily influenced by what other people think or say of you?
Do you cater to people because of their social or financial status?
Whom do you believe to be the greatest person living?
In what respect is this person superior to yourself?
================================================================
There you have it.
Read the questions and state your answers aloud, so you can hear your own voice. This will make it easier for you to be truthful with yourself. – Napolean Hill
Im so grateful that I’m in a community of entrepreneurs that are actually masterminding with each other on this chapter! The reality is that its easy to pick up a book, read the book, then put it down and read the next book. And yes I was guilty of doing that with this particular book before. The problem with that is often times we miss the real lessons in certain book when we dont actually stop and really do what the author is telling us to do. And if it wasnt for this group of 450 freedom fighters and mastermind members that I get on a conference call with every morning, I wouldnt be back around to this book again and taking a serious look at this chapter…again.
I expect us to be here on this chapter answering these questions for ourselves for at least the next day or two . In fact in the book Mr. Hill says “At least one day is necessary for the analysis and the answering of the entire list.” If you need to, then print this out and take your time with it or just go ahead and book mark this page in your browser. Its all good. As long as you get it done.
If you enjoyed today’s post please ‘like & share’ this page so someone else can benefit from it!
201-691-8237
Skype: Nach34
P.S. Share this by clicking both the ‘Like’ button and the ‘BadAss’ button on this page.
P.P.S. Leave your comments, thoughts and stories in the comment section below.
P.P.P.S. And of course – buy our blogging system here and share your own stories for the world to hear