Note, also, (with great personal benefit), thatthe POWER which gave this nation its freedom, isthe self-same power that must be used by everyindividual who becomes self-determining. ThisPOWER is made up of the principles described in thisbook. It will not be difficult to detect, in the story ofthe Declaration of Independence, at least six of theseprinciples; DESIRE, DECISION, FAITH, PERSISTENCE,THE MASTER MIND, and ORGANIZED PLANNING.
Throughout this philosophy will be found the suggestion that thought, backed by strong DESIRE,has a tendency to transmute itself into its physicalequivalent. Before passing on, I wish to leave withyou the suggestion that one may find in this story,and in the story of the organization of the UnitedStates Steel Corporation, a perfect deion ofthe method by which thought makes this astoundingtransformation.
In your search for the secret of the method, donot look for a miracle, because you will not find it.
You will find only the eternal laws of Nature. Theselaws are available to every person who has theFAITH and the COURAGE to use them. They may beused to bring freedom to a nation, or to accumulateriches. There is no charge save the time necessary tounderstand and appropriate them.
Those who reach DECISIONS promptly and definitely, know what they want, and generally getit. The leaders in every walk of life DECIDE quickly,and firmly. That is the major reason why they areleaders. The world has the habit of making roomfor the man whose words and actions show that heknows where he is going.
INDECISION is a habit which usually begins inyouth. The habit takes on permanency as the youthgoes through graded school, high school, andeven through college, without DEFINITENESS OFPURPOSE. The major weakness of all educationalsystems is that they neither teach nor encourage thehabit of DEFINITE DECISION.
It would be beneficial if no college would permitthe enrollment of any student, unless and until thestudent declared his major purpose in matriculating.
It would be of still greater benefit, if every studentwho enters the graded schools were compelled toaccept training in the HABIT OF DECISION, andforced to pass a satisfactory examination on thissubject before being permitted to advance in thegrades.
The habit of INDECISION acquired because of thedeficiencies of our school systems, goes with thestudent into the occupation he chooses... IF ... in fact,he chooses his occupation. Generally, the youth justout of school seeks any job that can be found. Hetakes the first place he finds, because he has falleninto the habit of INDECISION. Ninety-eight out ofevery hundred people working for wages today, arein the positions they hold, because they lacked theDEFINITENESS OF DECISION to PLAN A DEFINITEPOSITION, and the knowledge of how to choose anemployer.
DEFINITENESS OF DECISION always requires courage, sometimes very great courage. The fifty-sixmen who signed the Declaration of Independencestaked their lives on the DECISION to affix theirsignatures to that document. The person who reachesa DEFINITE DECISION to procure the particular job,and make life pay the price he asks, does not stakehis life on that decision; he stakes his ECONOMICFREEDOM. Financial independence, riches, desirablebusiness and professional positions are not withinreach of the person who neglects or refuses toEXPECT, PLAN, and DEMAND these things. Theperson who desires riches in the same spirit thatSamuel Adams desired freedom for the Colonies, issure to accumulate wealth.
In the chapter on Organized Planning, you willfind complete instructions for marketing every typeof personal services. You will find also detailedinformation on how to choose the employer youprefer, and the particular job you desire. Theseinstructions will be of no value to you UNLESS YOUDEFINITELY DECIDE to organize them into a plan ofaction.