When we really, really want something , that we'll do whatever is necessary to achieve it. Therefore, in an hypothetic, overall scheme, desire is the one stage that links thoughts and actions together: 

Thoughts > Commitment (or Desire) > Action

Surround yourself with like-minded people, people whom you know you can trust on an intellectual perspective and that can give you noteworthy insights and sparks which you can draw inspiration from.

The man that "thinks" he can accomplish something is already a step forward toward the finish line. But thinking in itself might be a too general term. That's why Hill translates thinking as a mixture of initiative, faith, willingness to win, and resilience.