The fences fear creates. The framework to outwit the devil.

In Napoleon Hill's Outwitting the Devil Mr Hill interviews the Devil.

Many believe that this conversation is an imaginary convention that services a literary vehicle.

I believe the writing transcends the wisdom of one man. That said I am biased and I want to believe.

In the beginning the Devil confesses his power comes from leveraging minds of man.

We also learn that the antidote to this is free thought.

Today we talk about fear.

The Devil: To be sure, I employ tricks and devices to control human thought. My devices are clever ones too.

Mr Hill: Go ahead and describe your clever tricks, Your Majesty.

The Devil: One of my cleverest devices for mind control is fear. 

I plant the seed of fear in the minds of people, and as these seeds germinate and grow, through use,

I control the space they occupy.The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death.

  

Mr Hill: Which of these six fears serves you most often, Your Majesty?

The Devil: The first and the last— poverty and death!

At one time or another during life I tighten my grip on all people through one or both of these.

I plant these fears in the minds of people so deftly that they believe them to be their own creation. I accomplish this end by making people believe I am standing just beyond the entrance gate of the next life, waiting to claim them after death for eternal punishment.

Of course I cannot punish anyone, except in that person's own mind, through some form of fear— but fear of the thing which does not exist is just as

useful to me as fear of that which does exist. All forms of fear

extend the space I occupy in the human mind.

-Napoleon Hill  Outwitting the Devil.

The essence of this conversations is fear can limit us. The fears are not often real.  And imagined fears are just as powerful as real ones.

Poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death are all powerful fears.  

Fear of poverty can prevent from starting a business. 
Fear of criticism will stop people from performing or creating. 
Fear of ill health and old age can prevent you from living life.
Fear of lost of love will allow you stay in a unhappy situation, 
Fear of death will makes us afraid of flying. 

Yet with free thought we can chose to do to the thing we fear and unlock our true potential.  

This is way free thought is the antidote to fear.  

My life has given me a unique perspective on health, happiness, and maximizing life into old age. It is my primary defining purpose to share my knowledge with you. I want you to learn from my mistakes and have a better life.

Please visit EagertobeHealthy.com for Eager to be Healthy a Health and Happiness Podcast. You can also find this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Radio, and your Roku.

If you wish to work with me directly you can also find my contact info at www.michaelegerhealthcoach.com

Please order your copy of Napoleon Hill's Outwitting the Devil below.

The framework to outwitt the devil. Part 1 - Intro

You can be exposed to many different philosophies, models, ways of thinking, and technologies when studying self improvement.

Many of these philosophies seem to conflict.

So how do you internalize this wisdom in a way that is useful for you?

The answer is personal for everyone.

My mentor told me about Napoleon Hill's Outwitting the Devil and this book has become my answer.

Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success

Written by Napoleon Hill in 1938. Deemed to controversial to be published. It was hidden in a drawer for over 70 years. 

In 2011 the book was finally published long after the death of Napoleon and his wife.

Over the next few months, I will be sharing my interpretations and wisdom gained from this book.

It is my intention to give you insights into my philosophy, simplify your belief system, and bring you happiness.

Today's I am writing about the history around the writing of this book.

Napoleon Hill met Andrew Carnegie in 1908.  Mr Hill wanted a way to pay for law school. Mr Carnegie wanted a factual record of what made men successful.

The result was 20 years of research and interviews with over 500 individuals viewed as successful and 2000 who where called failures.

Napoleon Hill received no pay for agreeing to this opportunity and had to "hustle" to make a living. 

In the 30 years it took to write write Think and Grow Rich and Outwitting the Devil the world experienced World War I, The Roaring 20's,  The Great Depression, and the beginning of World War II.

Napoleon personally faced poverty, the lost of his savings and his home in the Catskills Mountains, and had to run for his life.

This experience was needed to discover what Andrew Carnegie calls your "other self"'.  Stay tune for next month's post about the "other self"'

If your looking for health and happiness coaching please visit me at 

www.michaelegerhealthcoach.com