Background

The Science of Getting Rich written by Wallace D. Wattles in 1910 is a classic that has become revitalized with the introduction of the movie ‘The Secret’ in 2006.  Rebecca Fine with Certain Way Productions edited and redistributed this as an e-book in 2002, free for anyone that can download it and view a pdf.  If you’d like your own copy of this free e-book you can get it by clicking here.  I highly recommend this - its a quick read, about 50 pages.

Summary

The Science of Getting Rich provides an approach towards getting rich that is grounded in ’science’.  The author claims that anyone can apply this approach and get rich, regardless of background.  The evidence supporting this claim is that no person who has applied this approach has ever failed to produce these results - therefore it is not a theory, but rather a science like arithmetic or algebra. 

Wallace Wattles lays a framework for getting rich founded in the following abbreviated and paraphrased principles.

1. There is an intelligent ‘thinking stuff’ (energy, presence, being) that permeates itself throughout the universe
2. A thought in this ’stuff’ produces the thing that is imaged by the thought
3. When a person creates a thought it can be impressed on this ‘thinking stuff’ and this can cause the thought to be created in the real world
4. A person must embrace a creative mind set rather than a competitive one (where limits or scarcity is imposed) to be able to do step #3
5. A person can live in harmony with these principles by embracing a sense of gratitude which perpetuates their effectiveness.  This is the only way to have a creative mind rather than competitive one.
6. Hold a mental image of your desires in all hours of the day and hold all faith that they will come true
7. A person must take action towards the realization of their mental image. 

My Review

The e-book is framed around the details of these principles.  It providing ample evidence and explanation as for how to practically apply each of these.  The concepts laid out here are very similar to those discussed in the Law of Attraction.  This is the topic of numerous books as well as the popular movie The Secret.   

As a personal growth junkie, I really enjoyed reading through this e-book.  It’s a quick read, with principles that are easy to understand, and an absolutely unbeatable price - free.  With these qualities its definitely worth downloading and spending a few hours of your time.

Numerous coaching principles are written throughout the book.  The principle of gratitude is one that coaches commonly discuss and is even the foundation for many religions (ie: giving thanks over dinner).  One of the unique discussions that I thoroughly enjoyed was that of our right to have money and how we best express ourselves with it.

Wallace also discusses being rich as something that everyone should strive for.  Being rich is not out of alignment with being a good person, in fact it is a prerequisite to living your life to the fullest, to being able to express who you really are and to be able to share your talents to the world.  The greater being (whether that be God, the universe, or the ‘thinking stuff’ - whatever your belief is) wants you to be rich so that you can share yourself to the world.  If we are limited to what we can do by money, how can we fully live our lives and most appropriately support others in their lives!  Its a terrific argument and does well to silence any of the voices that may give the suggestion that focusing on money is ‘immoral’ for any reason. 

Another concept discussed in the book that I really like is that of unlimited wealth and possibility.  People that live in a competitive landscape, in which they succeed by slighting or shorting the possibilities of others eventually lose because their view of the world is one of scarcity.  Furthermore they are continually competing for a limited resource rather than creating a world of opportunity. 

The book provides numerous practical tips that makes up the science of getting rich - all of which in my impression are equally important.  A clear message is that you provide a value to the world greater than the value that you receive.  For example, if you sell a book for $10, you receive the ten dollars, but the value that the book provides should exceed that amount.  So perhaps one tip is latched onto that generates $100 in revenues for the recipient.  Perpetuating this type of value is the foundation for the science of getting rich. 

Taking Action

Fundamentally this book follows a model of developing a clear and concise vision, focusing on this vision, trusting the vision, taking action, showing gratitude, and providing benefit to the greater world.  This is in perfect alignment with the general model that I share with my clients for achieving both their financial and personal goals. 

In reading this review, ask yourself the question:

• If getting rich were as simple (not necessarily easy) as reading a book and applying the principles taught in this book wholeheartedly, would I be willing to do it?

If the answer is yes, then its absolutely worthwhile to read this free distribution.  If the answer is yes-but…, then it might be worthwhile to read the book just to see if the principles discussed strike a chord.  Your only investment is 2-3 hours of your time…

Please feel free to provide your comments and feedback for the e-book The Science of Getting Rich in the comments below.

Be Well

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Written by Doug Nau, The Wellness Coach, i-grow.net