Think in a Certain Way: Wattles’ Timeless Wealth for Today’s Entrepreneurs

“I have said that men get rich by doing things in a Certain Way; and in order to do so, men must become able to think in a certain way.

A man's way of doing things is the direct result of the way he thinks about things.

To do things in a way you want to do them, you will have to acquire the ability to think the way you want to think; this is the first step toward getting rich.

To think what you want to think is to think TRUTH, regardless of appearances.” – Wallace Wattles, “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Why do some entrepreneurs consistently succeed while others, equally hardworking, struggle to break through? Wallace Wattles answers this directly: it’s not simply about working harder but about thinking in a certain way. The way you think shapes the way you act and the way you act shapes the results you get. This is as relevant today as it was in Wattles’ time, especially in business where mindset often determines whether ideas thrive or die.

Why Wattles’ Wisdom Is Still Relevant Today

In today’s fast-paced world, appearances can be deceiving. The economy may look uncertain, competitors may look overwhelming, or resources may seem scarce. Yet Wattles challenges us to look beyond appearances and think truth: the truth of abundance, opportunity, and possibility.

For modern entrepreneurs, this means:

• Stop being limited by circumstances. Conditions may look tough, but opportunities still exist.
• Choose your thoughts deliberately. Fear and scarcity thinking lead to timid actions, while abundance thinking fuels innovation and persistence.
• Recognize that thought precedes action. A strong business strategy begins with strong thinking habits.

Practical Action Steps for Business and Startups

1. Train Your Mind Daily: Just as you train your body, train your thoughts. Start each day affirming the possibilities rather than the problems. Read your business vision aloud and visualize success.
2. Think Beyond Appearances: Don’t let short-term setbacks or market noise define your outlook. Ask: What’s the truth behind this? Where’s the opportunity others are missing?
3. Align Actions with Empowered Thinking: If you think abundance, act abundantly: invest in marketing, build partnerships, and take bold but calculated steps forward.
4. Focus on Solutions, Not Barriers: Instead of obsessing about what you lack (capital, contacts, experience), focus on how you can use what you do have to move one step closer today.
5. Create a Thinking Ritual for Business: Schedule 10–15 minutes daily to deliberately think about your goals, opportunities, and next actions. Over time, this “thinking time” will reshape both your actions and outcomes.

Wattles’ reminder is simple but transformative: the way you think determines the way you act, and the way you act determines whether you get rich. In business, this is the difference between staying stuck in scarcity or moving boldly toward growth.

By training your mind to think truth, abundance instead of lack, opportunity instead of obstacles, you give yourself the power to act in a Certain Way that produces wealth. For anyone starting or growing a business, this isn’t just philosophy. It’s the first practical step to building the life and enterprise you desire.