The 2% of Leaders: Wishing vs. Believing, by Napolean Hill

The majority of people never discover the difference between wishing and
believing; nor do they recognize that there are six steps which people
usually follow in using their mind-power for the attainment of their desires.
These steps are:

First: The vast majority of people go through life by merely wishing for
things. The percentage of people who stop at wishing is estimated at 70%.

Second: A much smaller percentage of the people develop their wishes into
desires. These are estimated at 10%.

Third: A still smaller percentage of the people develop their wishes and
desires into hopes. These are estimated at 8%.

Fourth: A still smaller percentage of the people step their mind-power up
to where it becomes belief. These are estimated at 6%.

Fifth: And yet a very much smaller percentage of the people crystallize
wishes, desires and hopes into belief, and then into burning desire, and
finally faith. This percentage is estimated at 4%.

Sixth: And last, a very small percentage of the people take the last two
steps, putting their faith into action by (1) planning and (2) acting to carry
out their plans. This percentage is estimated at only 2%!

The outstanding leaders in every walk of life are the ones in the sixth
group. They recognize the power of their own minds, take possession of that
power and direct it to whatever ends they choose. To these people the word
“impossible” has no meaning. To them, everything they want or need is possible–
they manage to get it. The only trait which differentiates them from most of
the others who accept failure as their lot, is that they recognize and use
their mind-power for the attainment of the circumstances and things they
want while the others do not.

Wishes, desires, hopes, beliefs, faith, and action…where are you?

(Extracted from writings by Napolean Hill)