“What is fundamental in the character is the instincts, tendencies, impulses, desires and feelings, all these and nothing else.”
Th. Ribot, in
Psychology of the Emotions, p. 390.
HOW MEN ARE GOVERNED.
“Men are not governed by their abstract principles but by their passions and emotions.”
Leslie Stephen, in
The English Utilitarians, Vol. II., p. 329.
FEELING AND THE SELF.
“Feeling is subjective life par excellence.”
Prof Sully, in
The Human Mind, Vol. II., p. 2.
These testimonies are all the more convincing when they are realised in active life. Think sceptically, doubtfully, cynically, hopelessly—and you do nothing; think positively, hopefully, generously—and you work towards your destiny. We may therefore say, “What I think, that I am.“ Thoughts decide our career.
XII. THOUGHTS ON FORCE.
17. To have an ambition, therefore, is to have a plan of life—something to work for—a destiny to accomplish. A critic asks us if we are on the ascending line of life, or on—the other one. Put the question to yourself. Which is it? If it is the line of descension, we know what kind of thinking yours is—its emotions are engines for moving you in the wrong direction or else they are so slow and ineffective that they do not move you at all. If it is the line of ascension, we know your thinking is constructive, positive, hopeful, and conquering. The critic just quoted once said, “I am not a man; I am dynamite.” He was in some ways—not all. But can you say anything approaching that? We can imagine some men’s version, did they speak the truth, would be, “I am not a man; I am an icicle.” They are cold, lacking in broad sympathies, sceptical about other men, frigid in feeling, and incapable of enthusiasm. Other voices would say, “I am not a man; I am a routinist.” They are the men who let others think for them; they render obedience because they cannot lead themselves; they are, and always will be, employed persons. True, they have a good place in life and do good service, but they are not given to thinking with thrust in it. “I am not a man,” we hear again, “I am lemon kali, I fizz and foam with enthusiasm for twenty-four hours, then fall flat as water.” Yes, no doubt; but with proper guidance and systematic training there is no reason why enthusiasm should not permanently accompany the growth of mental power. You who read this lesson can think dynamically if you care to take the trouble. Power may be static, that is passive, or it may be dynamic, that is active. In your constitution there are powers asleep; you have never used 25 per cent. of their possibilities. Arouse yourself and become master of the forces you possess. Instead of thinking anyhow, think on scientific lines. And begin by abolishing the doubts, scepticisms, fears and bogeys respecting your own mental and financial advancement. Believe that “the best is yet to be,” and soon the belief will be justified in the enlarging of interests, the keen zest of conflict, and the indubitable evidence of progress.
To apply this lesson forcibly, make careful use of the following suggestions. Some of them may not apply to you, but most of them will—especially the direct questions.
XIII. A METHOD OF SELF-ANALYSIS.
18. Opposite every one of the underlying qualities place a plus (+) if you feel you possess the characteristics conveyed in the word or phrase, and a minus (−) if you feel you are lacking in this respect:—
Good Health
Love of work in which engaged
Energy
Sympathy
Imagination
Self-Control
Self-Confidence
Memory
Will Power
If you have more of the minus than the plus element in your results, it means that you are lacking in the very fundamentals of possible success, whatever be your aim in life. But if you can place a plus against the first three, you are on the high road to the development of all that follow — for, as insisted upon to the point of being wearisome, interest-power is the one agency for unfolding mental gifts and formulating character.
Below we give a selection of possible questions which serve to bring out those weaknesses—and “strengths”—which may be hidden as well as those that are more obvious. Self-catechizing is looked upon as humiliating, and disrespectful to one’s dignity—at least it is by some who would be all the better for a closer knowledge of their own natures.
XIV. QUESTIONS FOR SELF-DRILL.
19. Can you say you are thoroughly sound, physically and mentally? If so, why is it that some other men, not quite so “sound,” are forging ahead of you?
Is “soundness” the right element to look for in bodies and minds? Or is there something more?
What were the most successful periods of your life? And to what do you attribute that success?
Can you reproduce the conditions in order to obtain similar results?
What does experience prove is the best hour for thought in your own case?
Enumerate your bad and good qualities. (Get a friend to check the list with you; be prepared for objections.)
What is your special aim in life?
Have you any secondary aims?
Are you too sensitive—too retiring?
Do your best and most progressive periods synchronise with your best health periods?
Do you welcome responsibility or shirk it?
Do you realise to the full how the acceptance of responsibility is the making of a man?
“DON’TS”
1.Don’t be a grumbler. The man with an everlasting grievance generally grieves his chances out of existence.
2.Don’t aim too high, but aim high enough. Adjust your ambition to your abilities, and your ambition will grow accordingly.
3.Don’t bewail your lot. Instead of thus wasting your energy, use it to find a better position, or in other ways to enlarge your interests.
4.Don’t shirk the need of defining your aim in life. Avoid drifting.
5.Don’t be afraid of being laughed at.
6.Don’t fail to sec that the “Don’ts” just urged upon you are directly concerned with the development of mental efficiency.
XV. MEMORY TRAINING.
The Cost of Forgetfulness.
20. Forgetfulness is both irritating and costly in any sphere of life, and this is particularly true in the world of business. You miss an appointment and lose a big contract; you forget to put your cheque book in the safe, and it is used by others to your disadvantage; the signalman forgot to pull the lever and the train was wrecked. Forgetfulness has exacted a heavy toll in human lives and a still heavier toll in money. The business man may sometimes forget an important item even when he has taken pains to enter it in his diary and to keep that diary