_He Must Dig_
He wanted a job, and, like every one else, He wanted a good one, you know; Where his clothes would not soil and his hands would keep clean, And the salary must'nt be low.
He asked for a pen; but they gave him a spade, And he half turned away with a shrug.
But he altered his mind, and seizing the spade--he dug.
He worked with a will that is bound to succeed, And the months and the years went along.
The way it was rough and the labor was hard, But his heart he kept filled with a song.
Some jeered him and sneered at the task; but he plugged Just as hard as he ever could plug; Their words never seemed to disturb him a bit--as he dug.
The day came at last when they called for the spade, And gave him a pen in its place.
The joy of achievement was sweet to his taste, And victory shone in his face.
We can't always get what we hope for at first-- Success cuts many queer jigs-- But one thing is sure, a boy will succeed--if he digs.
--_Pleasant Hours_.
There is no open door to the Temple of Success. Every man who enters forges his own key and cannot effect an entrance for anyone else. Not even his own children can pass this door. Remember that the key that will unlock your greatest opportunities must be forged by yourself.
No outside Power, no help from friends or relations can do as much for you as you can do for yourself.
It's doing your job the best you can And being just to your fellowman; It's making money, but holding friends, And staying true to your aims and ends; It's figuring how and learning why, And looking forward and thinking high, And dreaming a little and doing much; It's always keeping in closest touch, With what is finest in word and deed; It's being thorough, yet making speed; It's struggling on with a will to win, But taking loss with a cheerful grin; It's sharing sorrow and work and mirth And making better this good old earth; It's serving, striving through strain and stress, It's doing your noblest--that's Success.
_Six Suggestions for Success_
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievement of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times, and to have a smile for every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you will have no time to criticize others.
To be too big for worry, too noble for anger and too strong for fear.
To think well of your self and to proclaim this fact to the world--not in loud words, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
The world knows but little of failures, and cares less. The world only watches the successes.
Stop worrying over things that can't be helped and go and do things that can be done.
Few people care a continental for your failure. Few, if any, will help.
You may sit and magnify your mistakes, mourn and go mad over your blunders, but men will only smile that cynical smile and say of you, "He's no good."
Self-pity, sympathy soliciting, wishing and wailing will only let you down lower. Brace up. Brush up. Think up. And you will get up. Think down. Look down. Act down. And you will stay down.
Paint your face with a smile. Advertise that you are a success. Then think and work for it.
Whatever you think you are is the price they will pay.
In every contest of life, remember the shell must fit the gun.
_It Couldn't Be Done_
Somebody said that it couldn't be done, But he with a chuckle replied That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in, with a trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done--and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that-- At least, no one ever has done it"; But he took off his coat, and he took off his hat, And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quiddit, He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done--and he did it.
There are thousands who'll tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands who prophecy failure; There are thousands to point out to you, one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, Then take off your coat and go to it.
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing That "cannot be done"--and you'll do it.
--_Edgar A. Guest_.
A sea captain was talking about the English admiral, Lord Fisher.
"I once asked Lord Fisher," he said, "what he attributed his rapid rise to.
"'To power of initiative,' Lord Fisher answered promptly.
"'Power of initiative, my lord?' And I scratched my head. 'How would you define power of initiative?"
"'Disobeying orders,' said Lord Fisher."
It has been well said if you are doing anything exceptionally well, "though you build your home in the heart of the forest the world will make a beaten track to your door."
While you are flirting with success And making plans to nab it, Some other chap, who fusses less, May rush right up and grab it.
The two keys to success are luck and pluck--luck in finding some one to pluck.--_Life_.
"The road to success is apt to be a long, hard one, my boy."
"Are there no short cuts, father?"
"Yes, my son. Our penitentiaries are full of men who took the short cuts."