Think and Grow Rich: Lessons from a Financial Advisor Study Group

Wealthspire Advisors takes pride in being a learning organization—one that actively supports and encourages personal and professional growth at every level. Whether through formal programs or grassroots initiatives, we believe that continued learning strengthens not only our team but also the service we provide to our clients. The following article is a reflection from one of our advisors on a recent study group centered around Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill—a timeless exploration of success, mindset, and the discipline of growth.

If only the principles of success were part of the standard school curriculum. Fortunately, they can still be learned—and practiced—through intentional reading and reflection. For 15 weeks, I had the opportunity to participate in a study group with my colleagues Gloria Levorin, Nate Richardson, Dominick Matteo, and Stephane de Brechard, where we explored Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. What began as a professional development initiative evolved into a powerful exercise in intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and collaborative learning.

Hill’s masterpiece was originally published in 1937 in the depths of the Great Depression and has been edited and reissued many times. Our book club deliberated and chose the 2015 publication, Think and Grow Rich: The Original Version, Restored and Revised, based on the original from 1937, and compiled brilliantly by Ross Cornwell. While we made an excellent book choice, the value lay not only in the content but in the act of coming together to learn. Intellectual pursuits thrive in community, and personal development is enriched by the exchange of ideas. The five of us began with a book that challenged us, committed to the process, and were open to the timeless lessons of Think and Grow Rich.

In the 56 pages of endnotes in our carefully selected edition, we also made the acquaintance of W. Clement Stone, the founder of Aon—whose corporate family Wealthspire Advisors joined—and Napoleon Hill’s collaborator and patron during Hill’s later years. Stone once noted, “This book taught me that success begins with a clear purpose and a positive mental attitude—principles that guided my life’s work.” Our group sought to explore these ideas not for mere inspiration, but as a means to cultivate a disciplined approach to self-improvement and lifelong learning. That we learned about Stone, the founder of our parent company, his history in American business, and his intellectual and literary achievements, was an unexpected and delightful bonus.

Core Principles for Growth

Think and Grow Rich distills thirteen principles that resonate deeply with those pursuing intellectual and personal advancement. I would highlight the following as particularly significant:

• Clarity of Desire (Chapter 1): Hill asserts that a defined, resolute Desire underpins all meaningful achievement. This idea invites reflection on how a clear purpose can guide intellectual pursuits and worldly success, anchoring efforts in intention rather than chance. As Hill writes, introducing the chapter on Desire, “A burning desire to be and to do is the starting point from which the dreamer must take off. Dreams are not born of indifference, laziness, or lack of ambition.”
• Faith (Chapter 2): Hill’s call to visualize goals and believe in their realization speaks to the power of a growth-oriented mindset. It suggests that confidence in one’s capacity to learn and improve is essential to any developmental journey. It is in this chapter that Hill provides “six definite, practical actions,” his famous method for transmuting Desire into its worldly or spiritual equivalent.
• Autosuggestion (Chapter 3): Hill’s concept of Autosuggestion – the practice of influencing one’s subconscious through repeated affirmations – resonated deeply with our group. It underscores the importance of cultivating a positive mental attitude and the power of self-belief in shaping our realities. This principle encouraged us to consider how intentional, positive self-talk can reinforce our intellectual, personal, and business goals, acting as a tool to strengthen resolve and focus.
• Specialized Knowledge (Chapter 4): The principle of Specialized Knowledge highlighted the necessity of acquiring specific, relevant expertise. In our case at Wealthspire, we are obsessed daily with learning about investments, taxes, trust and estate planning, retirement planning, asset protection, charitable giving, and every other key concern of our core client base, the affluent individual and family. Napoleon Hill’s exhortations to dramatically increase our Specialized Knowledge reinforced our commitment to lifelong learning, as we recognized that intellectual growth requires not just broad knowledge but deep, focused understanding in our fields. It emphasized that mastery is a deliberate pursuit, vital for both personal fulfillment and professional success.
• The Discipline of Persistence (Chapter 8): Hill writes, “Success requires no apologies. Failure permits no alibis . . . Without persistence you will be defeated even before you start. With persistence you will win.” Our weekly commitment, maintained despite competing demands, embodied Hill’s emphasis on perseverance. This discipline requires steady effort over time and is a cornerstone of intellectual progress, personal evolution, business success, and the achievement of financial freedom.
• The Collective Mind (Chapter 9): The “Mastermind” principle—where individuals amplify their potential through collaboration—came to life in our group. The diversity of insights enriched our understanding, demonstrating that collective learning often surpasses solitary study in both depth and impact. Napoleon Hill could not control himself, exclaiming, “Great power can be accumulated through no other principal than that of the mastermind.”

A Catalyst for Development

The study group offered more than an academic exercise; it provided a framework for intentional growth – specifically in our wealth management careers at Wealthspire. Hill’s emphasis on organized planning encouraged us to approach professional challenges with greater clarity and strategy. For me, the Mastermind concept illuminated the strength of collaborative learning, reinforcing its role in intellectual pursuits. The process honed our ability to set goals and think critically, while fostering a community united by a shared commitment to improvement. It affirmed that personal and professional development are not finite achievements but ongoing endeavors.

Extending the Journey: From Hill to Cialdini

Encouraged by this experience, we have launched a new study group, now with eight members, to explore Robert Cialdini’s Influence. This book, which examines the psychology of persuasion and often enters the realm of behavioral economics, aligns with our work in wealth management and our broader aim to deepen our understanding of human behavior—entirely relevant to personal financial matters. This transition reflects a sustained dedication to lifelong learning, viewing each study as a step in an enduring quest for knowledge.
A Call to Lifelong Learning

Our Napoleon Hill Study Group was a testament to the enduring power of collective learning and self-directed growth. Hill wrote, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve,” a statement that captures the potential of disciplined thought and effort. Over 15 weeks, we proved that such dedication can expand both understanding and capability. As we turn to Cialdini’s Influence, we carry forward this commitment. As Napoleon Hill assures us, “The only limitation is that which one sets up in one’s own mind.”

Joshua Shoshan is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor based in New York. He works with clients on their investment and advanced planning needs and understands that wealth preservation is of paramount importance to affluent clients. He is also keenly focused on client concerns regarding wealth enhancement and tax mitigation, wealth transfer, wealth protection, and charitable giving.