Thought-Force in Business and Everyday Life. William Walter Atkinson

over again, he will come to believe it. No wonder, you believe it yourself from the mere repletion of it, and why shouldn’t he. Moreover, a suggestion may produce no apparent effect at the time it is given, but may be like the seed planted in fertile soil, which will have sprouted by the time you come again. By talking properly to the Active partner and getting him interested you have enabled the passive brother, actuated by curiosity (of which he has a full share) to draw near and overhear your conversation. He will often think over the overheard words after you have gone, and the next time you come he will manage to get an interview with you, in spite of his stern brother. “Love laughs at locksmiths,” and so does the Passive fellow at his brother — sometimes. You should carry the above mental picture of the two functions of the mind — the Active partner and his Passive brother. With this picture in your mind, you will be able to direct your suggestions to the best advantage, and also to guard yourself against the suggestions of others.

      In influencing a man with whom you come in personal contact, you will not have to depend entirely upon the power of suggestion in overcoming the watchfulness of the Active partner of his mind. You will be aided by two powerful allies, i.e., direct thought waves consciously projected by your mind, and by the involuntary adductive qualities of thought. These powers can be highly developed by the exercises, which will be given you during this course of lessons. You will also learn how to acquire characteristics calculated to aid you in making a good impression upon the Active brother, who is apt to be impressed by external appearances.

      There is one thing, which you must learn, however, and that is Confidence and a belief in you ability to master this subject. It is like a boy learning to swim. The swimming power is inherent in every boy, but he doesn’t believe it. As soon as he believes that he can swim — he swims; but so long as he believes that he “can’t” — he cannot. He may improve in the art of swimming by practice, but he had the swimming power in him from the beginning, and all he needed was belief. You can do it, and have but to strike out. You can begin on easy exercises at first, but you must have Confidences from the start. Some men discover this by accident, and do not know the reason for their success. You know the reason, now, and can do as well and better than the man who has stumbled upon the truth.