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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
Men constantly bemoan their lack of opportunity, when all about them are more opportunities than they possibly can use. Some say they can not get along because they are without capital. But how did many of the rich men of to-day make a start fifty years ago? In many instances they were poor boys. What they have done can be done over and over again. It is not opportunity that men lack, but diligence. The human race contains a natural streak of laziness. To do things worth while, a man must lift himself up above animal desire for ease and comfort, set his will to work and his heart on fire with zeal for achievement. A. T. Stewart started life with a dollar and fifty cents. This merchant prince began by calling at the doors of houses in order to sell needles, thread, and buttons. He soon found the people did not want them, and his small stock was thrown back on his hands. Then he said wisely, "I'll not buy any more of these goods, but I'll go and ask people what they do want." There after he studied the needs and desires of people, found out just what they most wanted, endeavored to meet those wants, and became the greatest business man of his time.
Procrastination may easily rob a man of his inheritance. Lack of decision may lead to as disastrous results as lack of brains. A man says to himself, '' I will do it to-morrow, I do not feel like it to-day," but, lose this day loitering--'twill be the same story tomorrow, and the next more dilatory; the indecision brings its own delays, and days are lost lamenting over days. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute, what you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it, only engage and then the mind grows heated--begin, and then the work will be completed. The difference between a self-confident and a timid man, between success and failure, often lies in the two words, "I will!" Strong determination to do or die has distinguished all the great men of history. The pertinacity of Grant was expressed in the phrase, "I intend to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." Many men give up just as victory is within sight. A little more patience and staying power and all would have been won. If a man's mind is weak and vacillating, he can strengthen it by saying, "I will!" If he has lost faith in himself, he may begin again by saying, "I will!" Let him read the lives of resolute men, and mingle with people who do things. Soon there will spring up in his mind and life this wonderful power to will and do. It is a useful habit to take little disappointments as a matter of course, and to crowd them out as fast as they enter the mind by fixing the attention upon big values and fundamentals. If things do not go just right, take a little trip into the country. When you return you will probably find they have untangled themselves, or are not quite as bad as you thought.
At the first approach of discouragement, a man should rouse himself out of his lethargy, and go forth into the open air with some inspiring lines upon his lips like these by "Susan Coolidge":
Every day is a fresh beginning; every morn is the world made new; you who are weary of sorrow and sinning, Here is a beautiful hope for you--A hope for me, and a hope for you.
Every day is a fresh beginning: Listen, my soul, to the glad refrain, and, spite of old sorrow and older sinning, and puzzles forecasted and possible pain, Take heart with the day, and begin again!
All things are possible to a courageous man. The great leaders of the world have been of intrepid character, doing their duty as they saw it. There is an insistent cry to-day for capable men--real men who can do real things. One is told that every business and profession is overcrowded, that the chances for advancement are things of the past. This is not so. Never in all the history of the world has there been so many golden opportunities for worthy men. The greatest prizes yet await the men who make the proper effort to win them.
Chapter XII
DAILY STEPS IN SELF-CULTURE
A plan is here offered to the student whereby he may systematically develop a high type of manly self-confidence. He may begin on any day of the month, with the lesson assigned for that day, and continue to repeat the entire series through as many months as may be necessary for his requirements.
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