Often named as the "most inspirational book ever written," Think and Grow Rich "by Napoleon Hill remains a cornerstone of motivational thinking in goal-setting seminars and exercises around the world. The main premise of the book is the idea that thoughts aren ' t just thoughts, but future actions and realities in the making.

In other words, if you can see it – truly and fully in your mind's eye – then there's nothing to stop you from recognizing your dream.

If you haven't read the book, what makes Think and Grow Rich so motivational isn't just the message that Napoleon Hill offers, but also the real-world examples that accompany it. Although they may seem a little dated to today's readers, the fact is that great men and women have been practicing these principles for a long time. While Andrew Carnegie may have been the most prominent example of a wealthy man putting his vision to work back in Napoleon Hill's day, it's just as true when we think of business giants like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates today.

Along with recognizing the power of vision and goal setting, another key point in Think and Grow Rich rests on the close relationship between positive thinking and success in any area of ​​life, be it personal or professional. Those who can keep the right attitude in the face of adversity are bound to succeed. Is that message any less relevant today?

Think and Grow Rich would be a worthwhile and powerful read for just about anyone, but as an author and sales trainer I think it's an especially important book for salespeople and their managers, regardless of where they are in their career. That's because, when it comes to finding accounts and clients, few things are ever as important, at least in the long run, as having the right perspective. Until you can imagine yourself as a top-level producer, it's going to be extremely difficult to actually become one.

Even more important is Napoleon Hill's advice on keeping the right attitude when things get tough. Every salesperson is going to run into a time when things just don't seem to be going their way: Prospects don't want to answer their calls, customers seem to want to negotiate for lower prices, and the economy isn't exactly full of good news. How you handle the setbacks will determine whether you can stay in the game and become a top producer or find yourself looking for a different line of work.

Selling has always been a mental game, which is why I feel that Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill remains an important book for salespeople and sales managers, and probably will for many decades to come. If you are in charge of finding new customers for a living, go and check out a copy today.