Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-21
How To Get Interested
by H. ADDINGTON. BRUCE.

as- BY II. ADDlNGTON. BRUCE.
r s there anything in which you know yOu ought
1 to be specially interested, but not?
:. Perhaps your work bores you? Perhaps,
as a student at school college, you lind certain
studies peculiarly dstasteful? Possibly, when in
company, you feel at disadvantage in not Delns
interested in the things of which other people con-
verse-politics, literature music art?
In any of these cases, today's talk is meant for
YOU. 1t is meant to give you a few hints III the
business of getting interested.
First of ALL you should make uD your MIND TO
read every day, for at least hour, some DOCK
connected with the subject in which y'H WISH 10
develop interest. .-eS
But this does not mean that you should con-
fine yourself to books about that subject On the
contrary, your reading should include books mol
rectly rather than directly related to it.
If for example, you wish to develop an lnterest
in psychology, you should not be content with read
ing some textbook in psychology. Mess you are
interested in Psychologist begin with, the reaolne
of a psychological textbook will never make you
interested in it, a..
What you should do is to extend your leading
to include books such subjects. as pnVsloloSy'
business efficiency, and personal hygiene
Books like these, if simply and clearly Wrlti I
will bring concretely home to- you the numperless
ways in which knowledge of the workings Oh the
human mind is of personal advantage ,u.o,f
Also, they will cause you to think Ior t,ee
of the various practical relationships petweep
psychology-the science of the mind-and other
subjects in which you already interested
This will set your imagination actively at WOrh'
and once this is done you will grow and more
interested in the subject-psycholosy-that lor
merly bored you.~ .s. es.e -. 3.,
IRE TO perceive the human significance OF tne SUP
iect in which one feels uninterested. rWloe col
lateral reading as suggested above, will do great
deal to help overcome this defect.
For the same purpose, it is important 10 asso-
ciate as much as possible with persons whom you
know to be interested in the subject in wnlch you
wish to work up an interest. Their enthusiasm
about II will be contagious, If you are Win them
often enough and long enough. =. . ...
Moreover, what they have to say ABOUT the SUI
iect will reveal to you attractive phases OF II winch
you have not before suspected -, - a.
If YOU cannot find among your fr1enus anu az
uuaintances any qualified to meet your neeo III Cnls
respect make it point to attend pubic lectures Oh
the subject IN question, and on related supJects.
Indeed you should do this in any event. con
tact with the mind of a well-nformed pubic lec-
turer will inevitably open UP new vistas 10 your
imagination -, =. 40 ,,,ov-
Like your reading, it will cause you to see u3e&-
nected relationships between the subjects OF the lee
ture and your personal needs, and will stimulate
vour IMAGINATION to work more effectively.
This is the great end to be sought People are
interested only in those things that are Oh vital
meaning to them. And things acquire vital mean
ing in proportion as they are thought ABOUT WIN
imaginations aid. ,- -.-.. 49,, .,
Once imagination has kindled interest, the task
of learning any subject should proceed smoothly'
still aside from lack of interest, there are Ger,
tain hindrances to efficient study or these VIII
speak another time. -. -,
1Copyright 1916, by H. A. Bruce