Randall Murphree
AFA Journal editor
March 2013 – Harold Finch often spent his time in elementary school drawing designs for space ships. Given that his elementary years were in the years of the Great Depression, it seems Finch was a visionary even at that tender age. At least until his teacher’s stern reprimand interrupted his vision: “Harold, get back down to earth and quit your daydreaming!” (See AFA Journal, 1/13.)
But the young student never gave up the dream. Eventually, his adult years began with a career in space science at NASA, then moved on to a college presidency, a foundation for foreign missions and Christian film production. (See below.) That last interest comes in addition to his most recent decades of leading personal growth seminars titled “Unlimited Success: Discover the Secrets to Achieving More.”
Though Finch’s seminars attract college students and people of all professions, his message always ends with the gospel; thus he reaches people who might never hear the gospel anywhere else. The seminars are structured around a series of 20 powerful principles expressed in concise nuggets of truth and inspiration, and 3 keys to success.
Among the principles he teaches are that everyone, regardless of position or status, possesses three keys to success. His second principle is that God instills in every person a powerful reservoir of talent and ability – largely untapped forces ready to be unleashed to achieve His plans and purpose for our lives. Finch believes that all we must have to energize these keys are a sound mind, average ability and great desire.
The keys
Finch’s first key is that successful people are visionaries. He told AFA Journal that some people are born visionaries, but vision is something we can cultivate. He recommends finding a mentor or life coach and attending seminars such as Unlimited Success. But one can do a lot on his own.
“Start with one real short-range goal,” Finch said. “One week, begin with something you’ve been procrastinating on and that, if you accomplish it, will make you feel really good. Maybe cleaning out the garage. Then move on to one more. It’s like developing a habit.”
Key number two is that successful people are goal oriented. “Goals are what transform visions into reality,” Finch said. “Without goals, visions are merely fantasies.” Furthermore, he added that in setting goals, one must avoid short cuts, and exercise patience and perseverance.
The third key is that successful people practice the Golden Rule. “Work every day at treating your customers and employees the way you want to be treated,” Finch said. “It’s good business.” He said that seminar attendees, even those from the secular business world, respond well to his challenge to practice the Golden Rule.
At the end of each seminar, Finch presents a Bonus Key – the gospel. “When an institution rejects God, it is deprived of His protection, power, guidance and leadership,” he said. “The three keys can give us great success while we live a short time on earth, but the only key that can give us everlasting and infinite success is Jesus Christ. That key to life eternal is a free gift of God – ready for us to accept or reject.” 
Learn more
For more information on Dr. Harold Finch’s success seminars and his short, practical and easy-to-read book The Three Keys That Open the Door to Great Success, visit www.finchsuccess.com or call 816-509-9783.
Learn about Unlimited, the movie that reflects in a gripping narrative the principles Finch teaches. Unlimited is produced by Chad Gundersen (Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, Like Dandelion Dust, A Christmas Snow) and stars Robert Amaya (Courageous, October Baby) and Fred Thompson (In the Line of Fire, The Hunt for Red October).
