It Works (1926) by RHJ

"It Works" by RHJ, a foundational text originally published in 1926 and presented by the Master Key Society, offers a concise, definitive, and results-oriented plan for individuals seeking to profoundly improve their life circumstances. The author, who remains anonymous despite being a highly successful and widely recognized figure for his generosity, attributes all his accomplishments in mastering circumstances, accumulating wealth, and fostering relationships to the consistent application of the simple, potent truth elucidated within this work. The book is essentially a practical guide for unlocking an innate power within each person to obtain desirable possessions and conditions, aiming to illuminate an "easy, open road to a larger, happier life." It challenges the pervasive skepticism captured in phrases like "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride," by asserting the existence of a power so near, simple, and sure that it is frequently overlooked or unconsciously misapplied, leading to either success or failure. The book's premise centers on enabling individuals, particularly "thoughtless talkers or wishers," to transition from vague desires to concrete accomplishments by teaching them to first, definitively know what they want, and second, to harness an "Omnipotent Power" residing within. This internal force, identified as the "subjective mind" by Thomson Jay Hudson, or more generally as "Emmanuel – God in us" by RHJ, is portrayed as being "anxious and willing to serve," capable of bringing to fruition "every earnest desire" of the objective mind, provided that the individual is genuinely committed and precise in their intentions.

Core Idea The central concept of "It Works" posits that every individual possesses an inherent, omnipotent power, distinct from the conscious, objective mind, which is capable of manifesting any earnestly desired condition or possession. This power, irrespective of its various appellations across scientific, psychological, or theological frameworks, is presented as an infallible mechanism for achievement. The efficacy of this inner force is likened to the predictable nature of radio waves: a correct "tuning in" guarantees a perfect result. The critical differentiator articulated by RHJ is the distinction between fleeting "wishing" – often mere vocal expressions lacking true conviction or detailed thought – and "earnest, sincerely and truthfully desiring." The objective mind, being inherently vacillating and prone to superficiality, frequently engages in the former, thus failing to establish the requisite connection with the omnipotent subjective mind. True activation of this inner power, therefore, demands an unwavering, focused intent, transcending casual thought to encompass a deep-seated mental, physical, or spiritual longing. The book argues that recognizing and systematically engaging this internal power is not a mystical endeavor but a practical application of a fundamental, discoverable law that governs personal achievement.

The Plan The book outlines a precise and actionable plan for harnessing this inner power to achieve desires, structured around definition, repetition, and discretion:

• Define Your Desires with Utmost Clarity:

  • The foundational step is to know precisely what you want. This is acknowledged as a significant challenge, requiring focused introspection.
  • The List: Individuals must commit their desires to paper, enumerating "the things and conditions you really want" in their order of importance. There should be no hesitation to "go the limit in writing down your wants," fostering an expansive vision.
  • Dynamic Refinement: This list is not static; it should be reviewed and revised daily—adding, removing, or reordering items—until it accurately reflects one's true aspirations. Such changes are considered natural indicators of progress and evolving understanding.
  • Specificity is Paramount: Vague desires are ineffective. For every item, absolute detail is required. For an automobile, specify the "kind, style, price, color, and all other details, including when you want it." For a home, plan "the structure, grounds, and furnishings," and decide on "location and cost." For money, write down the exact "amount." For business goals, such as a sales record, detail the "total, the date required, then the number of items you must sell to make it," even listing "prospects and put after each name the sum expected." RHJ emphasizes that a failure to define desires with such precision indicates a lack of earnestness, without which results cannot be achieved.

• Three Positive Rules of Accomplishment:

  • Rule 1: Consistent Affirmation: Read the complete list of your desires three times daily – upon waking in the morning, at midday, and before sleep at night. This consistent review serves to impress the desires deeply upon both the objective and subjective minds.
  • Rule 2: Sustained Concentration: Think about what you want "as often as possible" throughout the day. This maintains a continuous mental focus, preventing desires from fading into the background of daily distractions.
  • Rule 3: Absolute Discretion: Crucially, "Do not talk to anyone about your plan except to the Great Power within you." This rule is designed to protect the nascent intention from the potentially undermining influence of external skepticism, doubt, or discouragement. The inner power, when undisturbed by external chatter, will "unfold to your objective mind the method of accomplishment."

• Cultivating Faith and Overcoming Obstacles:

  • Embrace the Unattainable: Even if certain desires seem "positively unattainable" by practical reasoning, they must still be included in the list, trusting the omnipotent power.
  • Trust the Process: The book explicitly discourages attempting to intellectualize or "analyze how this Power within you is going to accomplish your desires." This process is likened to the mysterious growth of a corn grain; the method of accomplishment "will unfold quite as mysteriously" and often "much sooner than you expect."
  • Recognize Progress: The emergence of new, significant desires on the list, or the removal of items that initially seemed important but no longer resonate, are sure indications of correct progression.
  • Confronting Doubt: When "skepticism and doubts, distrust, and questionings" inevitably arise, the recommended countermeasure is to immediately consult the list (or its memorized contents), engaging in internal affirmation until the interfering doubts dissipate. The author reinforces, "Remember, nothing can prevent your having that which you earnestly desire. Others have these things. Why not you?"
  • Strategic Associations: Due to the objective mind's susceptibility to suggestion, individuals are advised to "choose your friends carefully and associate with people who now have some of the things you really want," while strictly adhering to Rule 3 by not discussing one's personal method of accomplishment with them.
  • Acknowledging Accomplishments: Upon the first successful manifestation, an "ancient enemy"—discredit, often disguised as "coincidence"—will invariably surface. It is imperative to "give thanks and assert credit to your Omnipotent Power" for the accomplishment. This act of sincere gratitude not only reinforces assurance but also attracts further accomplishments, solidifying belief in the governing "law." Gratitude, inherently linked with happiness, should be expressed wholeheartedly, allowing it to be reflected outwardly. The mystery of the Power's functioning should be accepted with thankfulness, happiness, and strengthened faith, rather than an attempt to rationally comprehend it.

Cautions While emphasizing the limitless potential of the inner power, RHJ issues stern warnings regarding its ethical application. The power, being neutral, is capable of manifesting desires that could ultimately lead to personal misery, inflict harm upon others, cause sickness and death, or even jeopardize one's "eternal life." The fundamental caution is that "You can have what you want, but you must take all that goes with it." Therefore, a critical prerequisite for planning desires is to ensure they are meticulously crafted to "give to you and your fellow man the greatest good here on earth," thereby also "paving way to that future hope beyond the pale of human understanding." Furthermore, while the method's scope is vast, it is prudently suggested that initial lists focus on "things with which you are quite familiar," such as specific amounts of money, material possessions, or definable achievements. These "lesser things" are "more easily and quickly obtained" than complex aspirations like breaking entrenched habits, ensuring the welfare of others, or healing mental or bodily ills. The strategy is to build confidence and demonstrable results with simpler objectives, gradually progressing to "higher and really important objectives in life." Ultimately, with spiritual growth, the desire to help others, mirroring one's own received assistance, will emerge as a significant, intrinsically rewarding goal, embodying the principle that "it is impossible to be unselfish without gain."

Concluding thought RHJ concludes by presenting the reader with a profound choice: to reject the presented plan and remain in their current condition, or to accept and "have anything you want." The author underscores the deliberate brevity of the book, designed for maximum readability, comprehension, and practical application. The imperative is to engage with the text deeply and repeatedly: "Read the entire book over again, and again, and then again." Readers are urged to "Memorize the three simple rules" and, most critically, to "Test them now on what you want most this minute." The final message extends beyond personal gain, as the author, in a "letter to you from the author," advocates for sharing the book with those in need. He positions this act of giving as "the most profitable thing you can do," aligning with "the law of life which says, 'You get by giving.'" This altruism, done without expectation of overt thanks, promises secret rewards in "added power and larger life," alongside the "conscious satisfaction that comes from doing good." The ultimate takeaway is a resounding affirmation, supported by "thousands of bettered lives," that "It Works," empowering each individual to consciously choose and create their desired reality through the systematic application of this simple, yet powerful, truth.