As the end of another year dawns, as the pages of time turn, I find myself reflecting, reflecting not upon what I have accomplished, but upon what I have turned into. Every year-end is more than a milestone; it’s a mirror. And as I peer into my mirror, I am reminded of a quote that has led me to make many of my decisions, and which has led countless achievers down the same path as I:
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
– Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
This is a profoundly apt statement that perfectly captures an age-old truth in society—that the limits of our potential are, in fact, nowhere near those of our surroundings, but of our imagination instead. While Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich” remains my all-time favourite book, this quote remains my all-time favourite quote.
The Seed of Achievement: Conception
All great things start as an idea, a small seed planted in the womb of a person’s imagination. Thomas Edison’s quote shows, “Ideas are not born from the brain but from the heart’s insisting that something better must exist.” The perseverance of Thomas Edison to get an electric bulb took him more than a thousand tries, but this did not weaken his belief; this strengthened his belief because he didn’t see hurdles, he only saw advancements.
This is also reflected in Indian philosophy. The Bhagavad Gita describes Sankalpa as the divine intent, which is the first step in the realization of intent. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that having clear thoughts in mind and fixed intent is the key to successful action. “To conceive is to create a mental picture of what is to be, to see it in imagination, to keep it in mind until it takes shape in actuality.”
Closer home, this is what Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam exemplified in his lifetime as an individual, as a guiding force for an aspiring nation, and as a source of encouragement for young people everywhere who look up to him as a kind of icon, as a role model to whom they would aspire to be like in several ways, including but definitely not limited to, what he did for aerospace development in this Indian nation where he lived his entire life.
He dreamed of an India that is capable of achieving independence in terms of defensive technological advancements when this kind of endeavour, this kind of dream, seemed impossible to strive for. Kalam often reminded young people, “Dream is not what you see in sleep, but the thing which does not let you sleep.”
The Bridge of Faith: Belief
Perceiving is not enough; it is belief that gives it substance. Belief is a silent bridge between vision and achievement. Even without belief, thoughts remain intangible; but with belief, nothing can stop them.
Take Mahatma Gandhi, for example, who raised an army of common men to bring down an empire; he, who had no money, no army, no titles, but who firmly, unequivocally, believed in the truth of his cause (Satya) in the efficacy of ahimsa (non-violence). He didn’t merely fight for freedom but showed us what moral faith, what trust in a righteous cause, could do!
Likewise, in today’s business community, Elon Musk’s vision for human capabilities to colonize Mars or create electric cars received widespread laughter, but his belief transformed what could only be science fiction into what is real today.
Belief, therefore, is neither blind nor optimistic. Belief is disciplined faith in the face of a doubting world, as well as in the face of doubt from oneself.
The Manifestation: Achievement
When imagination and belief connect, success is bound to happen. The universe, as Paulo Coelho asserts in his book, “The Alchemist,” is at work to aid those people who work towards realizing their reason for living in a passionate manner.
Take the example of Arunima Sinha, an Indian mountaineer, who, after having lost her leg in a train accident, chose to climb Mount Everest, which is more than a feat of achievement but also an embodiment of human spirit in overcoming adversity. She is an example of Hill’s philosophy in motion as she dreamed, believed, and attained the impossible.
Success is never about luck; it is always about alignment—when thoughts, feelings, and actions get into a synchronized motion in the same direction. As Swami Vivekananda said, “Take up one idea. Make that idea your guiding principle of life—think of it, dream of it, live for it.” The universe is for those who have a clear, focused, and determined motion in mind.
Final Reflection: Turning Vision into Legacy
As we close in on the end of this year, let’s keep from measuring ourselves by what we have accumulated but by what we have produced. Have we fostered those dreams which we originally dreamed? Have we believed in them long enough to give them shape? As a teacher, doctor, entrepreneur, artist, or in any other capacity, your gift is in the strength of your imagination to picture a better future than what exists today, as well as in your conviction, relentlessly held, to make it a reality.
As we move into a fresh year, it is important that we carry in our minds the spirit of this timeless advice from Napoleon Hill: Envision with clarity. Believe in convictions. Achieve in consistency. Because in the end, our greatest creation is neither what we make, nor what we do—but who we become in the process of belief.
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani),
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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Dear Dr. Prahlada N.B Sir,
As you reflect on another year gone by, you have reminded us of the wise words of Napoleon Hill, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Your life's work is a testament to this philosophy, a shining example of what can be accomplished when imagination and determination converge.
Like the lotus that blooms in the muddy waters, untouched by its surroundings, you have risen above the challenges of life, unfettered by the limitations of age or circumstance. Your mind, a canvas of boundless potential, has painted a masterpiece of achievements, inspiring countless individuals to strive for greatness.
As a statesman, you think not just of the present, but of the future generations, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and uplift. Your vision, like the morning sun, illuminates the path for others to follow, guiding them towards a brighter tomorrow.
In the words of Swami Vivekananda, "Take up one idea. Make that idea your guiding principle of life—think of it, dream of it, live for it." Your life is a living embodiment of this mantra, a reminder that age is just a number, and that the human spirit is capable of achieving greatness at any stage of life.
As you embark on another year, I am filled with admiration for your unwavering commitment to creating value for others. May your example inspire us all to strive for excellence, to dream big, and to believe in ourselves.
With utmost respect and admiration, 🙏.
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