Successful people do not become successful without much hard work and effort. This effort is not all physical labor or tasks but mental effort as well.  Mind power is a major player in most rich, famous or powerful people’s success. If you study the way that successful people reach their goals, you will find that on the most part each person controls their own mind and knows how to harness the power that lies within.

Read the stories behind two vastly different icons, one from the late 19th century and the other who is still working at achieving his success today, and view the parallels of how they use the power of their minds to achieve great things.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was an industrialist who was responsible for the expansion of the steel industry in America in the late 1800s. He was also known for his views towards philanthropy and his part in shaping the laws of attraction movement with Napoleon Hill. However, before he achieved this success, he learned how to harness the power of his own mind.

Carnegie was born into poverty, living in a small, one-room home. He moved from his home in Scotland to the United States as a young child, as his parents felt it would bring the family a better life. Carnegie gained his interest in education through the influence of an uncle, who told him that he could one day rise above work as a laborer. However, he did work in the cotton mills as a young boy to help his family survive.

Carnegie started working with the railroad as a messenger boy. He later worked his way through the ranks as a secretary, telegraph operator and several other positions before he eventually became the superintendent of an entire division. He always kept his mind on achieving more. Because of this he became interested in investing money.

He found he had a knack for investing and built a nice nest egg, which allowed him to become involved in the steel industry. This is where he eventually created a massive fortune. Carnegie was extremely generous with his fortune, sharing it through a variety of foundations.

Carnegie met a young writer named Napoleon Hill, and while sharing his own story of success, the two began their quest to find out exactly what was required to achieve success. Carnegie was not satisfied with his own success, he wanted others to experience the same feelings of contentment and comfort that he felt.

Carnegie’s studies were very influential in the laws of attraction movement. Carnegie himself fully believed in the power of the mind to attract and retain wealth.  Like ideas attract like ideas.  He never stopped believing in himself and after he amassed his fortune and retired from his work, he spent the rest of his days engaging in philanthropic efforts and sharing his fortune with others.  His own ability of self-motivation has been studied and appreciated throughout the years, and he will continue to inspire legions of people who desire success.

“People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.” – Andrew Carnegie

Mark Zuckerberg

Moving forward 100 years, Mark Zuckerberg was born. His family was upper middle class, and his upbringing encouraged him to reach for the stars, so to speak. His father taught him about computers and encouraged his love of programming. He experienced success at a young age, developing a piece of software as a teenager that would inspire interest by companies such as Microsoft and AOL.

Zuckerberg chose to go to Harvard, instead of moving straight into the workforce. During his time at Harvard he created the framework for what would become one of the internet’s biggest phenomenons: Facebook.

Facebook was something he believed in, with all his heart and mind, from the very beginning. Throughout the development and growth of this product, Zuckerberg faced resistance from others. Every time someone expressed negativity, or a setback occurred, Zuckerberg found a way to fight back.

His own belief in himself, and his product is the main reason for its success.

Just like Carnegie, Zuckerberg is very active in philanthropy. He has several charities that he has either helped found, or has simply donated a large sum to help with their goals. Philanthropy is a hallmark of many of the world’s most successful individuals. This works along with the theories of the Law of Attraction.  They give money away freely as they know it will come back to them.  They figure out how to attract financial success and have no fear that they can earn more money.

Zuckerberg’s story is just beginning, but it is quite obvious that this young man has a good control over his own mind power and will certainly be a successful and influential member of society for many years to come. In fact, Time Magazine chose Mark Zuckerberg as 2010 “Person of the Year,” a very admirable achievement.

“Both U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have used Facebook as a way to organize their supporters. From the protests against the Colombian FARC, a 40-year old terrorist organization, to fighting oppressive, fringe groups in India, people use Facebook as a platform to build connections and organize action” — Mark Zuckerberg

Both Use the Power of the Mind

 While these two men lived in drastically different times, they faced many different types of challenges. Both had an unshakeable confidence in themselves and those around them. Building an empire, no matter what industry it is in, is an extremely difficult task. There is nothing inherently special about these men, other than their ability to use the tools at their disposal to create wealth and success.

Just like Carnegie and Zuckerberg, you have this ability too. You have to learn to control your own mind and think of yourself as successful. Learning more about the power to achieve success that already resides in your own mind is a great way to get started on your quest for success. You can be just as successful as these men.