Why Writing Down Your Desires Activates the Subconscious Mind

If you’ve ever wondered why Napoleon Hill — in Think and Grow Rich — emphasizes the act of writing down your goals, it’s not just motivational fluff. It’s a proven process for activating the subconscious mind, your most powerful ally in creating wealth. In Chapter 12, Hill explains that your subconscious doesn’t just store thoughts — it transforms clearly defined desires into physical results by connecting with what he calls “Infinite Intelligence.” In this post, we’ll break down how writing your goals, repeating them with emotion, and following the famous 6-step plan from Chapter 2 can help you achieve financial success faster and more consistently.

“After you have accepted, as a reality, the existence of the subconscious mind, and understand its possibilities, as a medium for transmuting your DESIRES into their physical or monetary equivalent, you will comprehend the full significance of the instructions given in the chapter on DESIRE. You will also understand why you have been repeatedly admonished to MAKE YOUR DESIRES CLEAR, AND TO REDUCE THEM TO WRITING.” Page 181 “Think and Grow Rich.”

Vague Desire Creates Vague Results, Clarity Creates Power

Once you fully understand the power of your subconscious, you'll finally realize why it’s absolutely essential to write your desires down and make them specific.

The subconscious mind isn’t just a filing cabinet for your thoughts. It’s an active force that works 24/7 to turn your thoughts, especially those with emotion, into physical outcomes.

But here's the key: It only responds with clarity and precision when it receives clear and specific instructions. That’s why Hill insists you write your desires down; so they can become tangible, direct orders to your subconscious.

How This Supports the 6-Step Plan (Chapter 2)

Step 6. Read it aloud twice a day with emotion and belief: Steps 5 and 6 are exactly what this quote emphasizes. You’re not just writing a goal, you’re programming your subconscious with a blueprint to follow. Without writing it down, your desire stays vague. And the subconscious doesn’t act on vague wishes, it acts on definite commands.

Jane had a general goal: “I want to grow my business.” But nothing was working. Why? Because her subconscious didn’t know what “grow” meant.

She had to get specific:

• $25,000 per month in revenue
• From 5 new clients
• By December 31
• Offering premium coaching packages

She wrote it down, visualized it daily, and repeated it with belief.

Within 8 weeks, she had 3 new clients and more high-ticket leads than ever. Her subconscious now had marching orders, and it got to work.

Action Steps for You

1. Write your desire in clear, specific terms. Use numbers, dates, and emotional language.
2. Read it aloud every morning and night. With feeling. Your subconscious responds to repetition + emotion.
3. Believe that your subconscious is already at work. Don't worry about how, stay focused on the what and the why.
4. Collaborate with others. Talk to mentors, Master Mind partners, and accountability groups that support your vision and help you refine your clarity.

Clarity is magnetic. When you write your desire with crystal-clear specificity, you hand your subconscious a target it can’t miss. Join our Think and Grow Rich Activated workshop series today.

This is why Hill repeats over and over: Make your desire clear. Write it down. Believe in it. Repeat it daily. Once your subconscious locks onto that clarity, it will align with Infinite Intelligence and begin to transmute your thoughts into reality using the most direct and practical paths available.