A. R. Calhoun - How to Get on in the World: A Ladder to Practical Success

It has been said that "Nothing Succeeds Like Success." What isSuccess? If we consult the dictionaries, they will give us theetymology of this much used word, and in general terms the meaningwill be "the accomplishment of a purpose." But as the objects innearly every life differ, so success cannot mean the same thing toall men.

The artist's idea of success is very different from that of thebusiness man, and the scientist differs from both, as does thestatesman from all three. We read of successful gamblers, burglars orfreebooters, but no true success was ever won or ever can be won thatsets at defiance the laws of God and man.

To win, so that we ourselves and the world shall be the better forour having lived, we must begin the struggle, with a high purpose,keeping ever before our minds the characters and methods of the noblemen who have succeeded along the same lines.

The young man beginning the battle of life should never lose sight ofthe fact that the age of fierce competition is upon us, and that thiscompetition must, in the nature of things, become more and moreintense. Success grows less and less dependent on luck and chance.Preparation for the chosen field of effort, an industry thatincreasing, a hope that never flags, a patience that never growsweary, a courage that never wavers, all these, and a trust in God,are the prime requisites of the man who would win in this age ofspecialists and untiring activity.

The purpose of this work is not to stimulate genius, for genius islaw unto itself, and finds its compensation in its own originalproductions. Genius has benefited the world, without doubt, but toooften its life compensation has been a crust and a garret. Afterdeath, in not a few cases, the burial was through charity offriends, and this can hardly be called an adequate compensation, forthe memorial tablet or monument that commemorates a life ofprivation, if not of absolute wretchedness.

It is, perhaps, as well for the world that genius is phenomenal; itis certainly well for the world that success is not dependent on it,and that every young man, and young woman too, blessed with goodhealth and a mind capable of education, and principles that are trueand abiding, can win the highest positions in public and privatelife, and dying leave behind a heritage for their children, and anexample for all who would prosper along the same lines. And all thiswith the blessed assurance of hearing at last the Master's words:"Well done, good and faithful servant!"

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might." There is amanly ring in this fine injunction, that stirs like a bugle blast."But what can my hands find to do? How can I win? Who will tell methe work for which I am best fitted? Where is the kindly guide whowill point out to me the life path that will lead to success?" Sofar as is possible it will be the purpose of this book to replyfully to these all important questions, and by illustration andexample to show how others in the face of obstacles that would seemappalling to the weak and timid, carefully and prayerfully preparedthemselves for what has been aptly called "the battle of life," andthen in the language of General Jackson, "pitched in to win."

A copy line, in the old writing books, reads, "Many men of manyminds." It is this diversity of mind, taste and inclination thatopens up to us so many fields of effort, and keeps any one callingor profession from being crowded by able men. Of the incompetentsand failures, who crowd every field of effort, we shall have butlittle to say, for to "Win Success" is our watchword.

What a great number of paths the observant young man sees before him!Which shall he pursue to find it ending in victory? Victory when thecurtain falls on this brief life, and a greater victory when thedeath-valley is crossed and the life eternal begins?

The learned professions have widened in their scope and number withinthe past thirty years. To divinity, law, and medicine, we can nowadd literature, journalism, engineering and all the sciences. Evenart, as generally understood, is now spoken of as a profession, andthere are professors to teach its many branches in all the greatuniversities. Any one of these professions, if carefully masteredand diligently pursued, promises fame, and, if not fortune,certainly a competency, for the calling that does not furnish acompetency for a man and his family, can hardly be called a success,no matter the degree of fame it brings.

"Since Adam delved and Eve span," agriculture has been the principaloccupation of civilized man. With the advance of chemistry,particularly that branch known as agricultural chemistry, farminghas become more of a science, and its successful pursuit demands notonly unceasing industry, but a high degree of trained intelligence.Of late years farming has rather fallen into disrepute withambitious young men, who long for the excitement and greateropportunities afforded by our cities; but success and happiness havebeen achieved in farming, and the opportunities for both willincrease with proper training and a correct appreciation of afarmer's life.

"Business" is a very comprehensive word, and may properly embraceevery life-calling; but in its narrow acceptance it is applied totrade, commerce and manufactures. It is in these three lines ofbusiness that men have shown the greatest energy and enterprise, andin which they have accomplished the greatest material success. As aconsequence, eager spirits enter these fields, encouraged by theexamples of men who from small beginnings, and in the face ofobstacles that would have daunted less resolute men, became merchantprinces and the peers of earth's greatest.

In the selection of your calling do not stand hesitating and doubtingtoo long. Enter somewhere, no matter how hard or uncongenial thework, do it with all your might, and the effort will strengthen youand qualify you to find work that is more in accord with yourtalents.

Bear in mind that the first condition of success in every calling, isearnest devotion to its requirements and duties. This may seem soobvious a remark that it is hardly worth making. And yet, with allits obviousness the thing itself is often forgotten by the young.They are frequently loath to admit the extent and urgency ofbusiness claims; and they try to combine with these claims, devotionto some favorite, and even it may be conflicting, pursuit. Such apolicy invariably fails. We cannot travel every path. Success mustbe won along one line. You must make your business the one lifepurpose to which every other, save religion, must be subordinate.

"Eternal vigilance," it has been said, "is the price of liberty."With equal truth it may be said, "Unceasing effort is the price ofsuccess." If we do not work with our might, others will; and theywill outstrip us in the race, and pluck the prize from our grasp."The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,"in the race of business or in the battle of professional life, butusually the swiftest wins the prize, and the strongest gains in thestrife.