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Prescription for Success in the Healthcare Industry

Sometimes it takes a personal experience to bring what should be an obvious problem into focus. For Rick Goodman, that came as he evaluated his wife’s experience navigating the complex world of cancer treatment and helping him develop a better understanding of how the people that surrounded her care made a difference in helping her get better. In the video, “Prescription for Success in the Healthcare Industry, Dr. Rick focuses on the human side of healthcare and discusses how he challenges healthcare organizations to inspire and train their people. He strives to help leaders in healthcare organizations recognize that everyone in the organization, not just the clinical professionals, can contribute to the positive outcome of their patients. According to Dr. Rick, all healthcare professionals “have the power to help the patient or the power to make the patient feel helpless”. Dr. Rick brings focused training programs targeted at the healthcare industry that help organizations create a strong patient-focused culture.

The Alex Project - Laws of Success "The Golden Rule"

In his final lesson in Law of Success, Napolean Hill discusses “the Golden Rule”, and how he believes it to be the driving force in gaining success. “The Golden Rule” is defined as “the guiding star that will enable you to profitably and constructively use the knowledge assembled in the previous lessons".

To put it simply, following this law is the only way to apply the power that the preceding lessons provide.  The universal definition of “The Golden Rule” is to do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you if your positions were reversed. This must be taken very seriously, as Hill stresses the fact that all of your actions and thoughts will come back to you, for better or worse. It is not enough to merely believe in the philosophy of the Golden Rule, but rather one must apply it.

The primary key to this lesson is that the Golden Rule, when understood and applied, makes dishonesty, selfishness, greed, envy, hatred and malice impossible to maintain. One must be blatantly honest, and realize you are only punishing yourself by every wrong you commit, and rewarding yourself by every act of constructive conduct.

The Alex Project - Laws of Success "Tolerance"

Lesson fifteen in Napolean Hill’s Law of Success discusses the idea of tolerance. The chapter describes the destructive effects of intolerance, which according to Hill, clouds the mind of the individual and stops his moral, mental and spiritual development. Intolerance is a form of ignorance that must be mastered, and if not acknowledged, will surely prevent one from achieving the successes that they desire. In this brief lesson, Hill makes sure to emphasize that regardless of the business one is engaged in, cooperation and tolerance can be of tremendous help in achieving one's definite chief aim.

The Alex Project - Laws of Success "Profiting by Failure"

The fourteenth lesson in Napolean Hill’s Law of Success is titled “Profiting by Failure.” In the lesson, Hill gives the reader a different view of the meaning behind the word “failure”. Normally a negative word, Hill distinguishes failure from temporary defeat, and temporary defeat can at times be a blessing in disguise. He then states that he is thankful for experiencing so much defeat, since it had the effect of giving him the courage to attempt things he would not have tried if his early life would have been easier. The lesson flips the idea behind failure so drastically that by the end of the lesson it appears as though failure isn’t a bad thing at all. The message that can be taken after concluding with the lesson is simple. Ultimately, there is no failure. What appears to be failure is usually a minor setback in disguise, and you must always refuse to accept it as being permanent.

The Alex Project - Laws of Success "Concentration"

In his twelfth lesson in Law of Success, Napolean Hill discusses the importance of concentration in achieving great success. The lesson defines concentration as "the act of focusing the mind on a given desire until ways and means for its realization have been worked out and successfully put into operation."

Two important laws enter into this principal, including both the Law of Autosuggestion and The Law of Habit. Hill states that habit grows out of environment, and out of doing and thinking the same things the same way, over and over again. Therefore, Hill reminds us of the importance of selecting our environment with great care. The habits that we develop can be both good and bad, but know that bad habits can always be turned into good ones. Habits are created by repetition, and the best way to break old bad habits is to replace them by forming new good ones.

Concentration is a person's ability to keep their mind focused on one subject until they have mastered it. Also, both the ability to control your attention and the ability to throw off bad habits and attain self-mastery are also included in the definition of concentration. These abilities are helped by constantly keeping your "Definite Chief Aim" in mind. Hill concludes the lesson by stating that concentration is a characteristic obtainable by all. It is possible for anyone to develop the ability to "tune in" and understand the thoughts of others through what he refers to as "the universal mind."

The Alex Project - The Laws of Success "Accurate Thinking"

According to author Napoleon Hill, the eleventh lesson in his proclaimed Law of Success is the most important, most interesting, and unfortunately the most difficult lesson to present to the reader. Accurate Thinking involves two paired ideas.

The first idea is separating fact from information, and the second is separating this fact into two classes. These classes are important and unimportant facts, or relevant and irrelevant facts.

Hill emphasizes the great importance of being able to make this distinction, because the accurate thinker will not believe anything he or she hears. Instead, he or she will arrive at a conclusion only after careful and thoughtful analysis.

The key to accurate thinking, according to Hill, is what he calls "creative thought", which allows us to tap into "infinite intelligence." The major step towards creative thought is autosuggestion, otherwise known as suggestions you make to yourself. The subconscious mind records the suggestions we send it, and invoke the aid of infinite intelligence to turn these suggestions into action.

The lesson concludes by reminding us that the subconscious mind accepts any and all suggestions, both constructive or destructive, and cautions us to be careful what we suggest. You must only suggest facts and no slander, for slander is poisonous to the subconscious mind and ruins this creative thought.

The Alex Project - Laws of Success "A Pleasing Personality"

The tenth lesson in Napolean Hill’s Law of Success reading course discusses the importance of having a “pleasing personality”. Hill defines this as "a personality that attracts", and proceeds to explore the causes of this attraction.

One of the most crucial ways to initiate this attraction is by taking a genuine interest in other people. This is not arguing that for an average salesman, cheap flattery will serve as this genuine interest. Rather, by forming a relationship with a potential customer prior to the sale, the attraction is initiated and results in a more comfortable environment for both the salesman and his possible customer.

Hill concludes this lesson by discussing character, and ways to implement his formula that will result in this character being built up. He suggests that first, imagine those people who have the type of character you wish to possess, and then proceed to take on those qualities through self-suggestion. Create in your imagination a meeting with them, and then write out a detailed statement of the qualities you wish to assume from them. It is important to note that it is vital to the process that you actually see these figures seated around an imaginary table. Then, keep your thoughts focused in a positive manner as you listen to their advice and guidance, while keeping in mind the kind of person you would like to be. Also, make it a point to never forget to give praise to the genuine good qualities you see in others. Hill promises the reader that this will bring the law of attraction into play almost magically.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "The Habit of Doing More Than Paid For"

Napoleon Hill explores another topic that is vital to achieving success in the ninth lesson of this book, titled “The Habit of Doing More Than Paid For.” Essentially self-explanatory, this rare characteristic often results in countless opportunities for a person, and will add much to one’s credibility and reputation.

The easiest way for you to develop this habit is by ensuring that you are working in a profession that is enjoyable to you. According to Hill, some people love their work, but many hate what they do for a living. You are most efficient and will more quickly and easily succeed when engaged in work that you love, or work that you perform on for some person that you love.

If you are doing the type of work you love, it is no hardship to do more and better work than you are paid for.  Hill mentions two benefits of doing what you love: happiness (which is priceless) and earning far more money. He also states that family and friends may disapprove of following your passion, but you must proceed onward, regardless of the opinions of others.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "Self Control"

     The eighth lesson in Napolean Hill’s reading course discusses self-control, and its great importance to achieving success. According to Hill, a lack of self-control resembles the unharnessed lightning of an electrical storm – it may strike anywhere; it may destroy life and property. Enthusiasm arouses action, and self-control directs that action in a constructive and positive way. It may interest one to know that the overwhelming percentage of prison inmates remain in jail because they lacked the necessary self-control to channel their energies in a constructive manner. Conversely, the one common quality of successful people is self-control.

 No one can manage to control others unless they can first control themselves. This therefore makes a lack of self-control one of the average salesperson's most damaging weaknesses. Hill states that the primary ways to maintain self-control is by not forming opinions without knowing the necessary facts, and by not spending beyond one’s means. Self-control also enables a person to prevent striking back at those who offend you, as well as other destructive habits which result in a waste of energy through non-productive efforts.

The main point that Hill wants the reader to get out of this lesson is that you have the “power to control your own thoughts and direct them to do your bidding.” Self-control is simply a matter of thought control, and we certainly have complete control over our own thoughts. Don’t allow outside forces to influence you excessively, but rather think for yourself and with rock-solid precision.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "Enthusiasm"

In the seventh lesson in Law of Success, Napolean Hill discusses the great importance of “enthusiasm”, and how integrating enthusiasm into your life will ultimately lead to success. Hill defines enthusiasm as a state of mind that inspires and arouses one to put action into the task at hand." By constantly engaging in life with enthusiasm, the characteristic can be developed and used as a vital force in the work environment. In order to develop this potential enthusiasm, Hill argues that you must do the kind of work that you like, and make sure your actions are leading toward the achievement of your definite chief aim. Enthusiasm is a contagious characteristic, which magnifies its power. That is, it makes a large enough impression on others in order to make them become enthusiastic as well. Enthusiasm can mean using the same word choice but stated in a different manner, as people become more or less motivated based on how something is said to them. Hill emphasizes this fact, as it is not so much what you say as it is the tone and manner in which you say it that makes a lasting impression.

In order to truly master the quality of enthusiasm, Hill stresses the idea of working for something that you believe in. This will naturally bring out the enthusiastic quality in yourself, as you will be legitimately interested in what you are doing. In his example, Hill discusses how he turned down the most money that was ever offered to him simply because he did not believe in what he was doing. The job was to write articles on a topic that he opposed, and therefore knew he would not be giving his best enthusiastic effort when taking the time to write the articles. When working in an environment or on a project that you genuinely enjoy and believe in, the enthusiasm will begin to come on its own.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "Enthusiasm"

In the seventh lesson in Law of Success, Napolean Hill discusses the great importance of “enthusiasm”, and how integrating enthusiasm into your life will ultimately lead to success. Hill defines enthusiasm as a state of mind that inspires and arouses one to put action into the task at hand." By constantly engaging in life with enthusiasm, the characteristic can be developed and used as a vital force in the work environment. In order to develop this potential enthusiasm, Hill argues that you must do the kind of work that you like, and make sure your actions are leading toward the achievement of your definite chief aim. Enthusiasm is a contagious characteristic, which magnifies its power. That is, it makes a large enough impression on others in order to make them become enthusiastic as well. Enthusiasm can mean using the same word choice but stated in a different manner, as people become more or less motivated based on how something is said to them. Hill emphasizes this fact, as it is not so much what you say as it is the tone and manner in which you say it that makes a lasting impression.

            In order to truly master the quality of enthusiasm, Hill stresses the idea of working for something that you believe in. This will naturally bring out the enthusiastic quality in yourself, as you will be legitimately interested in what you are doing. In his example, Hill discusses how he turned down the most money that was ever offered to him simply because he did not believe in what he was doing. The job was to write articles on a topic that he opposed, and therefore knew he would not be giving his best enthusiastic effort when taking the time to write the articles. When working in an environment or on a project that you genuinely enjoy and believe in, the enthusiasm will begin to come on its own.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "Imagination"

The sixth “Law of Success” that Napoleon Hill discusses involves the need for imagination. Hill emphasizes this as being one of the most important of the lessons in his book. The chapter on imagination calls for the reader to use the one power that no person can take away from them.

Man has the ability to cheat and slander other men, but a man has no power over any mans imagination. Hill maintains that the idea of daydreaming is not a useless one, but rather that many vital ideas and products were developed through the act of daydreaming. Simple use of imagination has proven to lead to success, with the creation of “Five and Ten Cent Stores”, “Self-Help Grocery Stores”, and even the Panama Canal as evidence.

The main point that Hill intends to emphasize in this lesson is to use your imagination to rearrange old ideas into new combinations. With maximum effort combined with imagination, you can achieve maximum achievement. This is where a “Master Mind” group will become vital, as the collective effort provides for even greater imagination.

The Alex Project: Laws of Success "Imagination"

            The sixth “Law of Success” that Napoleon Hill discusses involves the need for imagination.  Hill emphasizes this as being one of the most important of the lessons in his book.  The chapter on imagination calls for the reader to use the one power that no person can take away from them.

Man has the ability to cheat and slander other men, but a man has no power over any mans imagination. Hill maintains that the idea of daydreaming is not a useless one, but rather that many vital ideas and products were developed through the act of daydreaming. Simple use of imagination has proven to lead to success, with the creation of “Five and Ten Cent Stores”, “Self-Help Grocery Stores”, and even the Panama Canal as evidence.

The main point that Hill intends to emphasize in this lesson is to use your imagination to rearrange old ideas into new combinations. With maximum effort combined with imagination, you can achieve maximum achievement. This is where a “Master Mind” group will become vital, as the collective effort provides for even greater imagination.