Day 32 of The 100 Day Project: Wealth, Worth, and Wisdom from The Science of Getting Rich

Discover timeless wealth principles from The Science of Getting Rich in Day 32 of the 100 Day Project.

Introduction: Wealth as a Noble Pursuit

What if getting rich wasn’t a matter of luck, talent, or background? But a science that anyone could master? Wallace D. Wattles believed this to be true when he wrote The Science of Getting Rich in 1910. Despite the outdated language and early 20th-century phrasing, the book contains timeless principles about wealth, human potential, and the connection between thought, gratitude, and action. For Day 32 of The 100 Day Project, I’m revisiting Wattles’ classic with fresh eyes, distilling insights for those of us committed to lifelong learning and personal leadership.

Wattles asserts becoming rich is a noble and natural desire. In fact, he says that it’s abnormal not to want to be rich. According to him, it is only through material wealth that one can fully develop the body, mind, and soul. We need money to live fully, to buy nutritious food, access learning resources, enjoy life experiences, and extend love and support to others. In his view, the desire for riches is really the desire for a richer, fuller, and more expansive life.

Wealth Comes from Thought—and Action

The Science of Getting Rich is the idea that getting rich doesn't mean someone else has to get poorer. There is no shortage of riches, only a lack of understanding of how to access them. Wattles explains that everything in our visible world comes from an invisible, intelligent, creative energy. This is a formless substance that responds to thought. What you think about consistently and clearly, you eventually attract and receive. Thought is the first step in the creative process. But it doesn’t end there.

One of the most empowering aspects of the book is the idea that it’s not enough to merely think positively or visualize success. Action is necessary. Specific, purposeful, timely action. Wattles emphasizes what he calls doing things in a “Certain Way.” This doesn’t mean following a rigid formula, but acting with clarity, confidence, and conviction, behaving as if the outcome you desire is already on its way. Each day, you must do all you can with focus and intention, without overworking or rushing ahead of ourselves. When thought is linked to purposeful action, results follow.

Gratitude: The Magnetic Force of Abundance

Another powerful thread throughout The Science of Getting Rich is the law of gratitude. Wattles describes gratitude as the practice that keeps us aligned with the source of all good. When you are genuinely grateful for what you have and even for what we’re working toward, you place yourself in harmony with abundance. You stop focusing on lack and start seeing possibilities. Gratitude expands your thinking, lifts your energy, and opens you up to more creative ideas and unexpected opportunities.

Create, Don’t Compete

For anyone leading themselves or others, this idea of creating instead of competing is especially significant. In our market share and hustle culture-fixated world, Wattles presents an opposing view. Don't compete for existing resources. It's unproductive. Instead, focus on creating something of value that didn’t exist before. Bring your unique gifts and ideas into the world. There’s more than enough room for everyone who contributes meaningfully.

One of the key takeaways from The Science of Getting Rich is that success doesn't depend on your environment, background, or education. It depends on how you think and act. Wattles urges readers to trust, believe in their ability to manifest what they want, and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. This means no more blaming external circumstances. You’re not poor or stuck because opportunities are scarce. You're where you are because you haven’t yet learned how to think and act in a Certain Way.

Leadership Through Learning and Action

These principles are especially relevant for readers of the Art of Learning Leadership Academy. Learning is leadership. When you learn how to manage your thoughts, elevate your mindset, and build habits of gratitude and action, you’re not only creating personal wealth. You’re becoming the person who leads from within. You’re modeling what it means to be self-directed, intentional, and aligned with a deeper purpose.

As part of Day 32 of The 100 Day Project, I invite you to experiment with one of Wattles’ core practices, visualizing what you want with absolute clarity and taking one aligned action every day. Start small. It could be reaching out to a new contact, publishing a piece of content, or simply journaling your vision for 10 minutes. But do it consistently. Stay grateful. And trust that this is not just dreaming. It’s the beginning of scientific wealth creation.

Conclusion: Applying the Science Today

The Science of Getting Rich offers a deceptively simple but deeply profound blueprint for building wealth and living fully. At its core, it’s not just about money. It’s about aligning thought, gratitude, and action to bring forth your highest potential. For lifelong learners and emerging leaders, it’s a call to rise above scarcity, embrace abundance, and lead a life of intentional creation. And that’s a lesson worth revisiting, especially today, on Day 32 of The 100 Day Project.

If you want access to my Bookish Notes, please consider joining my membership site, the Art of Learning.

This post contains affiliate links and The Invisible Mentor® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details, see here.

Categories: : personal development, financial mindset, and leadership through learning