The Washington herald., 1916-07-19
Concentrate Your Force.
BY ORIsON SWET.T MARDEN.


The steel tools driven by the great cams in
our ship building yards go through solid steel
plates with as much ease, seemingly, as the nm
gers of a cook go through yielding dough, be-
cause OF the huge balance wheels whose mighty
momentum, without jarring straining, over
come all obstacles. So great workers compass
vast results by the momentum of their intellects,
their clear comprehension of conditions. and
their ready mastery of complicated situations.
Such minds these are self-contained, self
reliant, confident They do not buttonhole every
friend or acquaintance they chance to meet, and
ask his advice or opinion in regard to their
plans. They do not consult subordinates or
equals; they simply look over the ground and
study it carefully, skillful general studies his
plan of the battle-ground before he leads his
army to action, and then they act.
A noticeable example of this stamp of mind
was the late General Kitchener, one of the most
remarkable personalities of our time Silent,
stern, immovable, when purpose once
formed, this hero Of many hard-won battles was
a Sphlnx-like type Of concentrated power. He
formed his plans unaded and executed them
with the precision and force OF huge engine
His chief of staff was the only one who knew
anything OF his intended movements when he
started one day important expedition dur
ing the war in South Africa. He simply ordered
locomotive, guard van, and carload of
"Tommies." Orders were given to clear the
track. Everything had to stand aside for him.
No warning was allowed to be telegraphed
ahead. He arrived on the spot without previous
notice and general in the army knew when
or where he might appear
Another incident of his South African cam.
paign is strikingly characteristic of the man.
About six o'clock one morning, he paid an un-
heralded visit to the Mount Nelson Hotel Cape
Town, scanned the register, and found there the
names OF officers who should have been on duty
Without word to any one he went personally
to the rooms Of the offenders, and left the fol-
lowing notice: "a special train leaves for the
front az 1000 a. m; the troop ship leaves at
4 90 p m. for England; you have your choice.
sir He would listen to no excuses, no par
lcying, no apologies; that was his ultmatum,
and every officer knew what he meant
He welded an absolute power over those
under him, because Of his positiveness his self
possession his consciousness of being equal to
any emergency, whatever it might be- Every
thing about him indicative of strength.
largeness, and breadth OF makeup. Free from
petty vanity or any desire for praise or fattery,
he had frank contempt for all social distinc-
! tons and frivolities. His personality had all
the mPressiveness of some great natural force.
working out its purpose silently, effectively and
with the certainty OF doom.
Like that other forceful character, the late +
| Rlerpont Morgan, General Kitchener possessed
IN an eminent degree those qualities of self-con-
hdenee, decision, promptness, frmness and abil-
lty to grasp situations which every one who
would be successful must cultivate the measure
OF ones success being proportioned to the de-
gree to which he develops these indispensable
qualities.
Force and directness cardinal virtues Of
the man who succeeds He does not 90 over a
| thing or around it, but to it and through it. If
he calls to see you on business, he does not
spend htteen minutes in introducing his subject
he strikes directly to the heart of it; he does
not waste your time on prelimnares or nom
essentials, but proceeds to attend to the busi-
ness IN hand, and, as as he fnishes-stoDs.
II is the direct man who strikes sledge hammer
blows and it is the who can penetrate the
very marrow OF subject at every stroke. and
get the meat out of proposition who does
things. These men know what they want and
are never on the fence. They do not waste their
time shilly-shallying, seeking advice balancing
opinions or splitting hairs. They decide upon a
course OF action and then pursue if without hesi
tatlon waverng.
The greatest help to success in anv walk of
| lite is to learn to think conciselv to express
ones self briefly, and to act promptly and force
| fully.