The Yale expositor., 1915-09-23
TO THOSE WHO WORK FOR
THEMSELVES.

This article is not addressed to en-
ployees, but to those who are in bust
ness for themselves or who occupy
independent positions.
Ninety-nine and nine-tenths per
cent of business men, and ninety-nine
per cent of professional men, labor
under the delusion-and it is a delu-
sion-that their work would stop, and
a part of the world would stand still,
if they dropped out Of the treadmill
for the whole of a day. or the whole
Of week, or for longer time. They
are selfelected slaves. and do not
realize that quality Of work counts
more than quantity, that the clear
brain and the vigorous body will ac'
complish more in a day than the fag-
ged-out mind and tired body can do in
a week
There are times when we cannot
leave our offices without mourning
loss, but we are nowhere as indis
pensable to ourselves, or to others, as
We think we are.
recall an incident: The editor and
owner of a great newspaper had not
left his desk for twenty years. He
was brain and body tired. His doctor
ordered him to take a vacation.
mo, no." he said. 81 can't do it"
Haven't you competent assist
ants?" asked the doctor.
Yes" replied the editor. but they
depend upon me for direction"
Nonsense" retorted the doctor,
you are too big man not to have
plant that will keep in motion II you
let up for a week or so. Suppose you
are taken sick. If you don't rest now,
you will have to later, and it will mean
months, and perhaps a years abb
sence from the Office"
The editor decided to stay away
for a week, but he did not dare to tell
his assistants, as he was afraid 1t
would demoralize the Office. He went
out into the woods, and came back
better man. On Monday he entered
his counting room
Good morning, Mr.. Brown" said
his general manager
How are things going?" asked the
editor.
Fine" replied the general man.
ager. Just landed big contract from
the Jones Manufacturing company"
With a surprised look on his face
the editor went upstairs His assist
ant met him with the usual greeting
"How's everything?" he asked.
Same as usual" replied the assist
ant.
The editor passed through the ed
itorial and reportorial rooms, but no.
body said anything about his absence.
At last in desperation he spoke about
1t to one of his assistants.
why, when did you go?" exclaimed
the man.
The editor went into his private
sanctum. sat down In the editorial
chair. put bis feet on the editorial
desk and talked to himself for an
hour. He had learned his lesson.
A friend of mine, a general of in
dustry, absents himself from his Of
flee for an extended period twice a
year. He finds that while he is away
lutIt 10 all luCItdSS VI Du6lntSSs
How do you account for it?" asked
friend
'Ill tell you" replied the business
man. I've organized my business so
well that each department has indi-
viduality and works by itself. yet in
harmony with the others. When I'm
there, my managers depend upon me.
When I'm away. they realize their i'm
portance and make strenuous efforts
to make good And they do"
Men who fail, as a rule. are those
who either work too hard or do not
work enough. who either keep too
long hours or too short hours.
Men who succeed compromise be-
tween the two extremes, work hard
when they work, and play hard when
they play, making their recreation a
part of their life's duty.
Don't fool yourself into believing
that you have not time to take rest.