In Napoleon Hill's book Outwitting the Devil he describes that drifting is the devil's best way to keep us from succeeding in our goals. After he plays on our natural fears he puts into actions many methods to make us drift.
He also describes methods on how keep from drifting:
- protection against drifting is within the reach of any human being with a sound mind. this defence can be applied through the following methods
- do your own thinking on all occassions. critical thinking methods are best used here.
- recognize that your brain has a receiving mechanism that can be attuned to receive communications from the universe. your brain has the power of thought which can be transformed into what is desired.
- recognize that your greatest asset is time. any other commodity is of lesser value. it is the only thing except the power of thought that you own outright. it can also be transformed into what is desired.
- recognize that fear is a state of mind that can be controlled by filling the space it occupies with faith in your ability to make life provide you with whatever you demand from it. fear is one of the best avenues the devil uses to cause a man to drift.
- recognize that life is a cruel taskmaster and that you either master it or it masters you. there is no compromise. never accept from life what you dont want
- decide definitively what you want from life. the more time spent in attaining this the more likely it will be attained.
- analyze temporary setbacks(defeat) and extract from it the seed of later advantage.
- be willing to render useful service in exchange for long-term value and render it first.
- when you pray, do not beg like a servant. demand and insist like a man.
- remember that your dominating thoughts attract, through a definite law of nature, their physical counterpart. be careful of what thoughts you dwell upon. thoughts are like rooms in a house.
- be definite and accurate in everything you do. never leave unfinished thoughts in your mind. form the habit of reaching definite decisions on all subjects
- hypnotic rhythm is a law of nature that can be used on the human mind to form habits. the most effective rhythm are soothing and relaxing rhythms like calming nature sounds. it is a favored method by the devil to turn people into drifters.