In his life-changing book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill described six basic fears that impact nearly every person—whether we admit it or not. Most of us live unaware of how these fears influence our decisions, emotions, and even success.
These six core fears are:
- Fear of Poverty
- Fear of Criticism
- Fear of Ill Health
- Fear of Loss of Love
- Fear of Old Age
- Fear of Death
According to Hill, all other fears are minor and can be traced back to one or more of these six. But there’s one fear that is even more dangerous — and most people completely overlook it.
The Most Dangerous Fear: Fear of Negative Influence
This hidden fear doesn’t feel like fear at all. It sneaks in quietly and influences our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs—usually without us realizing. And that’s what makes it so dangerous.
Hill wrote:
“Men who accumulate great riches always protect themselves against this evil. The poverty-stricken never do!”
Negative influence is not something you can touch or see. It’s a state of mind—and your only defense is the intentional use of your willpower.
Here’s how you can protect yourself:
- Understand your own weaknesses, fears, and patterns.
- Acknowledge your human vulnerabilities (everyone has them).
- Surround yourself with people who uplift, challenge, and inspire.
- Avoid passive thinking and stop letting others control your thoughts.
- Use your willpower to actively choose a positive mental environment.
Self-Analysis Test:
Take this powerful test from Think and Grow Rich to analyze the state of your mindset, habits, fears, and influences.
Answer each question truthfully. Reflect deeply. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s self-awareness.
Self-Analysis Questions:
(You can download the checklist for weekly reflection.)
- Do you complain often of “feeling bad”? What causes it?
- Do you find fault with others easily?
- Do you frequently make mistakes in your work? Why?
- Are you sarcastic or offensive in conversation?
- Do you avoid anyone deliberately? Why?
- Do you suffer with indigestion often? What’s the reason?
- Does life seem hopeless or pointless to you? Why?
- Do you like your occupation? If not, why?
- Do you feel self-pity? Why?
- Are you envious of people who outperform you?
- Do you focus more on success or failure?
- Is your self-confidence increasing or decreasing with age?
- Do you learn from your mistakes?
- Are you letting someone worry you constantly? Why?
- Are you emotionally unstable—very high one day, low the next?
- Who inspires you the most? Why?
- Do you tolerate negative influences you could avoid?
- Are you careless about your appearance? When and why?
- Can you stay too busy to let small things bother you?
- Would you call yourself weak if you let others think for you?
- Do you neglect internal health until it affects your mood?
- How many preventable irritations do you tolerate—and why?
- Do you turn to substances for stress relief instead of willpower?
- Does anyone “nag” you regularly? Why?
- Do you have a Definite Major Purpose in life? What is it?
- Do any of the six basic fears affect you? Which ones?
- How do you protect yourself from others’ negative thinking?
- Do you use autosuggestion to stay positive?
- What do you value more—material items or mental control?
- Are you easily swayed against your better judgment?
- Has today added anything valuable to your mind or growth?
- Do you face your problems or avoid them?
- Do you learn from failure, or blame others?
- What are your three biggest weaknesses?
- What are you doing to fix them?
- Do people bring you their problems for sympathy?
- Do you learn and grow from your daily experiences?
- Does your presence usually uplift or drain others?
- What habits of others annoy you the most?
- Do you form your own opinions, or follow the crowd?
- Have you built a mindset that shields against discouragement?
- Does your work give you faith and hope?
- Do you feel spiritually strong enough to avoid fear-based thinking?
- Does your religion help keep you mentally positive?
- Do you feel responsible for solving others’ problems? Why?
- What do your friends reveal about your character?
- Could any friend secretly be hurting you with their mindset?
- How do you identify helpful vs. harmful people?
- Are your closest friends mentally stronger or weaker than you?
- How much time do you spend daily on:
- Work
- Sleep
- Relaxation
- Learning
- Wasting time
- Work
- Among your friends, who:
- Encourages you?
- Warns you?
- Discourages you?
- Helps in other ways?
- Encourages you?
- What’s your biggest worry? Why do you tolerate it?
- When someone gives you advice, do you question the motive?
- What’s the one thing you want most? Will you get it?
- Are you willing to sacrifice for it?
- How much time do you spend pursuing it daily?
- Do you change your mind often? Why?
- Do you finish what you start?
- Are you influenced by others’ titles, degrees, or wealth?
- Does others’ judgment of you affect your self-image?
- Do you try to impress people of high status?
- Who do you think is the greatest living person?
- In what way are they superior to you?
- How long did you spend reflecting on these questions?
Final Thought:
Answering these questions once is good.
Answering them every week is transformational.
Self-honesty is the path to freedom.
And freedom begins with taking back control of your mind.
“If you are not taking control of your own mind, you can be sure someone else is.”
