Wallace Wattles on Ability, Success, & the Power of Mastermind Groups

“However, do not hesitate or waver for fear that when you come to any certain place you will fail for lack of ability; keep right on, and when you come to that place, the ability will be furnished to you. The same source of Ability which enabled the untaught Lincoln to do the greatest work in government ever accomplished by a single man is open to you; you may draw upon all the mind there is for wisdom to use in meeting the responsibilities which are laid upon you. Go on in full faith.” – Wallace Wattles, “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Fear of not being “ready” has stopped more businesses than failure ever has. Wallace Wattles reminds us that ability is not a fixed resource, it unfolds as you move forward in faith. The same infinite intelligence that guided Abraham Lincoln through his challenges is available to you. In business, this means you don’t need to have every answer before you begin. You only need the courage to start and the faith to continue. And one of the best ways to strengthen that faith and ability today is through the power of a mastermind group, a collective of like-minded entrepreneurs committed to supporting, sharpening, and expanding each other’s success.

Why Wattles’ Wisdom Still Matters Today

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s tempting to wait until you feel “ready” before launching your business, scaling your team, or pitching your idea. But readiness is often an illusion. Wattles reminds us that ability comes as you need it.

Faith is the bridge. When you step forward with confidence, new skills, ideas, and resources emerge. Action creates capability. You don’t grow stronger by standing still, you grow by doing.

The mind of abundance is always available. In our connected world, mentorship, training, and collective wisdom are easier to access than ever. This mindset is crucial for modern entrepreneurs. Stop waiting to be fully prepared. Begin, and ability will meet you along the way.

How a Mastermind Group Helps Bring This to Life

Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, built on the same principle Wattles described. He called it the “Master Mind”: a group of individuals who coordinate knowledge and effort to achieve success.

Here’s why mastermind groups are powerful for applying Wattles’ teaching:

1. Collective Intelligence: You gain access to insights, strategies, and solutions that you couldn’t generate alone. This reflects Wattles’ idea of “drawing upon all the mind there is.”
2. Faith Through Encouragement: When doubt creeps in, your mastermind group reinforces belief, reminding you that ability will be furnished as you keep moving.
3. Accountability to Action: A mastermind ensures you don’t freeze in fear. By holding you accountable, it pushes you to step forward where ability can meet you.
4. Borrowed Confidence: Sometimes, you need to lean on others’ certainty until yours catches up. A mastermind provides that collective strength.
5. Opportunity and Collaboration: The group itself often becomes a source of new partnerships, referrals, and growth opportunities.

Practical Action Steps for Entrepreneurs and Startups

1. Adopt Wattles’ Faith Principle: Stop waiting to be “ready.” Begin now, with what you know, and trust that more knowledge will come as needed.
2. Join or Create a Mastermind Group: Surround yourself with 5–8 committed, growth-minded individuals. Meet regularly to share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and encourage each other.
3. Document Your Growth: Track how ability shows up after you step into new challenges. This builds evidence for your faith and resilience.
4. Practice Drawing on Infinite Mind: Read daily, learn from others, and expose yourself to new perspectives. This keeps your thinking fresh and ready for challenges.
5. Take Courageous Action Weekly: Pick one thing each week that scares you, making a sales call, pitching an investor, or launching a product test. Watch how ability unfolds as you act.

Wattles’ lesson is timeless: ability comes as you need it, not before. Success doesn’t belong to those who wait until they feel ready, it belongs to those who move forward in faith.

Today, mastermind groups provide a modern vehicle for living out this principle. They remind you that you are never alone, that wisdom is always accessible, and that ability appears in proportion to your courage.

So, the next time fear whispers, “You’re not ready,” remember Wattles’ assurance: ability will be furnished. Go on in full faith and surround yourself with others who help you keep walking the Certain Way.