Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-07
Be Adaptable
BY H. ADDINGTON BRUCE.

PROGRESS always means change. 1t means
the gaining of new viewpoints, the adoption
of more efficient methods, the saving OF
strain, the reduction of friction.
In general way most of recognize this.
We view with approval the man Wuu instals the
latest devices in his store, his Office or his factory
and keeps abreast of all improvements in produc-
ton and distribution. Consciously or unconscious
ly, we say to ourselves:
This man certainly is up-to-date, and knows
how to the public. He deserves to succeed,
for he is most adaptable
ability in Others do we always appreciate the I'M
portance of adaptability in our own individual
case?
Decidedly this question must be answered in
the negative. Every day come to grief in
business and professional life because they fail to
adjust themselves to changed conditions IN their
line of work
AS a typical instance let cite the case of
man of my acquaintance. He is not more than
forty years old today, but he is weary and dis
couraged. And he has long been without STEADY
job
city he progressed more rapidly than most young
men of his age. At thirty he was quite wellto-do,
and seemingly was on the way to amasS fortune IT,
Meanwhile there had been gradual change In
the conditions under which his kind of business
could be successfully carried on. The methods
, which he had learned and which had enabled MIN
to prosper, would no longer do
NV acquaintance failed to appreciate this.
When he first noticed that his income was pegln-
ming to fall off, he attributed it to general business
conditions, and worked harder to make up the de-
fciency But he worked by the methods to which
he was accustomed
1t did not occur to him that, though they had
once been success winners, they might not always
be the correct methods to pursue. indeed, ne
fattered himself that he knew all about his bust
ness that was to be known So he kept doggedly
at work along the old lines.
And all the time other men--really no brighter
than he, but more adaptabe-overtook and passed
him. In passing they seized and bore off part of
the trade that had once been his.
Finally he was forced into bankruptcy He
does not yet recognize the real cause of his
failure and of his subsequent inability to regain
a footing a subordinate in former competitors
Office.
Lack of adaptability, in like manner, often ex-
plains the eventual loss of employment by men
who have grown old in the service of some firm.
They have allowed themselves to fall into
row, rut-like grooves of thinking and acting. They
have not kept their minds open to the inevitable
notifications and changes of method which Prog
ress makes necessary. What once was best must
always be best, is the way they look at it.
The result to them is stagnation, diminishing
efficiency, and ultimate disaster.
Adaptabiity, then, is of the prime secrets
of success in business life. Let no man, at any
stage of his business career, think that henceforth
he has nothing more to learn, and re-adjust-
ments to make.
Until the end of his days he will need to study,
will need to be eternaly vigilant, and will need to
keep his mind alert and adaptable.