Self-Control & Habit of Doing More — The Law of Success, Book 5 of 8 (1928) by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill introduces 'Self-Control' as Lesson 8, emphasizing its role in directing enthusiasm constructively. Without self-control, enthusiasm can be destructive. Hill highlights a survey revealing 92% of penitentiary inmates lack self-control, and notes that great individuals like Lincoln exemplified patience, poise, and self-control, even when facing disloyalty.

Hill recounts a personal experience with a janitor who deliberately turned off the lights in his office building. His initial angry outburst was met with the janitor's calm demeanor, leading to Hill's profound realization that he had lost self-control. This incident taught him that true control over others begins with self-control, shaping his philosophy and leading to significant personal growth.

The importance of self-control is illustrated through examples in various professions. A deaf woman excelling at a department store's complaint desk due to her unwavering composure, and successful trial lawyers using anger to their advantage, all underscore how self-control can be a decisive factor in managing difficult interactions and achieving professional goals.

Hill defines self-control as the absence of destructive emotions like hatred, envy, and greed. He warns against excessive self-confidence and self-sacrifice, and criticizes forming opinions without facts. The 'spending habit' is highlighted as a widespread lack of self-control, leading to financial instability and hindering long-term success.

Self-control is equated with thought control. Hill asserts that individuals have absolute control over their thoughts, distinguishing between auto-suggestion (self-directed thoughts) and suggestion (thoughts from others). He emphasizes that dominant thoughts shape one's destiny and are key to exercising self-control in its highest form.

Master salesmen, whether selling products or ideas, must possess self-control to manage their thoughts and influence others. The ability to negotiate tactfully, without argument or showing impatience, is crucial for success in all interactions. Examples across various professions, from public speaking to law, demonstrate how self-control underpins effective negotiation and leadership.

Desire is presented as the foundational element behind all achievement and self-control. Strong desires lead to seemingly superhuman capabilities. Historical figures like Napoleon, Lincoln, and Edison achieved their goals through intense desire. Hill encourages readers to cultivate a constructive desire, forming a code of ethics focused on service, honesty, and persistence.

Hill identifies excessive talking as a highly destructive form of lacking self-control. He advises that listening is often more profitable than speaking and that tactful conversation is a hallmark of successful individuals. Emphasizing the importance of continuous self-assessment, he points out that self-control was a key characteristic of all successful leaders studied, including Luther Burbank and John Burroughs.

Edward W. Bach, editor of the Ladies' Home Journal, shares his personal history of extreme poverty. He argues that poverty, while harsh, can be the 'richest experience' for a boy, fostering purpose, effort, and understanding. He emphasizes that poverty should be a condition to work out of, not to stay in, providing invaluable lessons on the value of money and hard work.

Hill introduces the 'law of retaliation,' which states that individuals return like for like. This law can be used to convert enemies into friends by expressing kindness and cooperation. He illustrates this with the story of a clergyman who disarmed a gorilla raider during the Lawrence massacre through moral persuasion rather than force, demonstrating the power of meeting aggression with self-control and unexpected responses.

The habit of doing more and better service than paid for is linked to the 'law of increasing returns'. Hill argues that this practice not only leads to greater material gain but also cultivates vital skills and a strong reputation. He encourages readers to embrace this habit to build personal power, emphasizing that struggle and resistance are crucibles for developing strength, much like a blacksmith develops a strong arm through hard labor.

Hill shares personal stories and observations to drive home the power of the 'law of increasing returns'. From Carroll Downs' rapid promotion by William Durant to Hill's own experience as a stenographer covering a lawyer's workload, these examples demonstrate how going above and beyond leads to recognition, opportunities, and financial rewards disproportionate to the initial effort.

Hill proposes a six-month experiment where readers are challenged to render useful, unpaid service daily. He asserts that this practice will reveal powerful laws of success and that one cannot render service without ultimately receiving compensation. He quotes Emerson's 'Compensation' to reinforce that 'honest service cannot come to loss' and that every effort will be repaid, often with compound interest.

Hill introduces the 'mastermind' principle, defining it as a powerful third mind created through the harmonious blending of two or more individual minds with a definite objective. He uses the examples of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone, and Chicago's 'Big Six' millionaires, to illustrate how this principle has led to immense success and power, attributing their achievements to the combined power of their collective intellects.

Hill delves into the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of thought, relating it to the composition of matter at the atomic level. He suggests that the human brain functions as both a broadcasting and receiving station for thought vibrations, implying a universal connection of minds through the ether. He posits that future scientific discoveries will validate the immense power and interconnectedness of human thought.

The summary concludes with a series of inspirational quotes from Napoleon Hill and other notable figures like Shakespeare and Lincoln, reinforcing themes of ambition, perseverance, the importance of service, and overcoming adversity. Hill also reflects on his work and the principles of success, urging readers to apply the lessons learned to achieve their own goals and foster a greater sense of purpose, especially in the spirit of giving over receiving exemplified by Christmas Eve.