Template for Building Character Through Auto-Suggestion
In Chapter 14: The Sixth Sense, of Think & Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill talks about he pretends to talk to people he admired (dead or alive). I took out the names and accomplishments of the people NP used in his version to make a reusable template:
[Name], I desire to acquire from you the [specific quality, skill, or understanding] which distinguished your life. I ask that you make an impression upon my subconscious mind of whatever qualities you possessed that enabled you to [specific achievement or capability]. I ask that you assist me in reaching and drawing upon whatever sources of knowledge are available to this end.
[Name], I request that you pass on to me the knowledge which enabled you to [specific accomplishment or transformation]. Grant me access to the understanding that allowed you to [expand on achievement or impact].
[Name], I desire to acquire from you, by emulation, the ability to [key strength or trait]. Help me develop the spirit of [faith, persistence, courage, etc.] which enabled you to [overcome challenge or achieve success]. [Optional: Title or symbolic description], I acknowledge and learn from your example.
[Name], I desire to acquire from you the [mental trait, philosophy, or approach] which defined your work. Grant me the [freedom, courage, clarity, patience, etc.] to think, act, and express myself as you did.
[Name], I wish to acquire from you the ability to [core method or discipline], especially your capacity to [study, create, lead, or endure] without [bias, fear, hesitation, etc.].
[Name], I desire to build into my own character the qualities you exemplified: [list of traits, e.g., justice, patience, humor, understanding, tolerance]. Help me embody these in my actions and decisions.
[Name], I am grateful for the influence you have had on my path. I wish to acquire a deeper understanding of the principles you used, particularly [organized effort, creativity, leadership, etc.], so I may apply them in my own life.
[Name], I wish to acquire your spirit of [persistence, determination, confidence, etc.], which enabled you to overcome [obstacle or limitation]. Guide me in using these qualities to achieve my goals and help others.
[Name], I place you among those I learn from most closely because of your [specific contribution or influence]. I wish to acquire your spirit of [faith, innovation, resilience, etc.], and your dedication to [effort, discovery, mastery], so that I may turn challenges into success.
Here is the original passage btw:
“Mr. Emerson, I desire to acquire from you the marvelous understanding of Nature which distinguished your life. I ask that you make an impress upon my subconscious mind, of whatever qualities you possessed, which enabled you to understand and adapt yourself to the laws of Nature. I ask that you assist me in reaching and drawing upon whatever sources of knowledge are available to this end.
“Mr. Burbank, I request that you pass on to me the knowledge which enabled you to so harmonize the laws of Nature that you caused the cactus to shed its thorns, and become an edible food. Give me access to the knowledge which enabled you to make two blades of grass grow where but one grew before, and helped you to blend the coloring of the flowers with more splendor and harmony, for you, alone, have successfully gilded the lily.
“Napoleon, I desire to acquire from you, by emulation, the marvelous ability you possessed to inspire men, and to arouse them to greater and more determined spirit of action. Also to acquire the spirit of enduring FAITH, which enabled you to turn defeat into victory, and to surmount staggering obstacles. Emperor of Fate, King of Chance, Man of Destiny, I salute you!
“Mr. Paine, I desire to acquire from you the freedom of thought and the courage and clarity with which to express convictions, which so distinguished you!
“Mr. Darwin, I wish to acquire from you the marvelous patience, and ability to study cause and effect, without bias or prejudice, so exemplified by you in the field of natural science. “Mr. Lincoln, I desire to build into my own character the keen sense of justice, the untiring spirit of patience, the sense of humor, the human understanding, and the tolerance, which were your distinguishing characteristics.
“Mr. Carnegie, I am already indebted to you for my choice of a life-work, which has brought me great happiness and peace of mind. I wish to acquire a thorough understanding of the principles of organized effort, which you used so effectively in the building of a great industrial enterprise.
“Mr. Ford, you have been among the most helpful of the men who have supplied much of the material essential to my work. I wish to acquire your spirit of persistence, the determination, poise, and self-confidence which have enabled you to master poverty, organize, unify, and simplify human effort, so I may help others to follow in your footsteps.
“Mr. Edison, I have seated you nearest to me, at my right, because of the personal cooperation you have given me, during my research into the causes of success and failure. I wish to acquire from you the marvelous spirit of FAITH, with which you have uncovered so many of Nature’s secrets, the spirit of unremitting toil with which you have so often wrested victory from defeat.”
Here is a version based on people I admire:
Osamu Tezuka, I desire to acquire from you the boundless creativity and storytelling mastery which allowed you to create a new world for yourself and a new universe for those after you. I ask that you make an impression upon my subconscious mind of the organisational qualities that enabled you to pioneer manga and anime as a narrative art form. Assist me in drawing upon the imagination and discipline required to create stories that resonate with my generation.
Christopher Hitchens, I request that you pass on to me the eloquence in speech and the fearlessly masculine commitment to your truth which defined your voice. Grant me access to the intellectual rigor and rhetorical precision that allowed you to challenge ideas and people boldly and to articulate convictions with confidence and wit.
George Orwell, I desire to acquire from you, the ability to write clearly and with power. Help me develop the courage and moral clarity which enabled you to confront injustice with almost no partisanship, and to warn against tyranny and slavish obeyance to authority through your writing.
Khatzumoto, I desire to acquire from you the lackadaisical discipline, immersion mindset, love of true learning as opposed to the torture which passes for higher learning, the humour, salesmanship and prolificacy of your blogs. Grant me the persistence achieved through changing my environment rather "motivation," to master first the Japanese language, and then everything else I wish for, through consistent exposure.
Napoleon Hill, I wish to acquire from you the ability to understand and apply the principles of success, particularly your mastery of desire, belief, definiteness of purpose, and organized effort. Help me develop unwavering faith through auto-suggestion, and grant me the mindset necessary to turn my optimistic thoughts into reality.
Hideaki Anno, I desire to build into my own fictional characters the introspection, emotional depth, and the cuteness plus sex appeal which your bishoujo characters exemplified to the point where thirty years later your viewers are still mesmerised and infatuated. Help me gain your artistic and organisation skills to create my creative work with honesty and courage.
Friedrich Nietzsche, I am grateful for the influence you have had on my philosophy for having allowed me to bring back an appreciation of masculinity into my thought. I wish to acquire your skill at writing to achieve self-overcoming, rebuff my enemies, achieve individual masculine strength, and the courage to question established values even if I may have to stand alone, so I may think independently and shape my own path.
Naotaka Hayashi, I wish to acquire your skill in crafting intricate narratives and scenarios, which enabled you to create deeply engaging visual novels and one of the greatest heroines, romances, and main character at the same time. Guide me in weaving complex plots and meaningful character arcs that leave a lasting impression.
Gosho Aoyama, I place you among those I learn from most closely because of your mastery in constructing long-form mysteries, memorable characters, and a wide ranging image of Japan which moved my heart and those of millions. You created hopeful characters with heart, with a genuine sense of right and wrong unbound by convention, and some very cute heroines and cool characters along the way, I wish to acquire your creativity, consistency, and ingenuity in storytelling which allowed you to craft one of the greatest and longest continuous adventures in manga and television history.