Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-21
INITIATIVE
BY H. Arlington Bruce

= INITIATIVE is the ability to reason out
course of action, foresee its consequences and
act decsively. 1t is Of the basic elements
in business success.
Without initiative business man need never
hope to travel far However great his mental
power, unless he possesses the faculty of indie
pendent and energetic action he will always be
among the laggards in the business world
And many men sadly short in initiative
Many appreciate its absence in themselves, lament
it, and dolefully state their belief that they are
necessarily handicapped forever
Il born this way" they may say, "and
must make the best of 1t. | not be otherwise
than nature intended"
They forget that it is possible to cultivate any
human quality. Though their nitiatory ability at
present may be small they can always increase II
if they will.
In order to increase it they should, in the first
place. take steps to develop themselves physcally.
Initiative presupposes energy, and energy goes
hand in hand with physical fitness
Let man Systematically upbud his strength
quicken his circulation, and stimulate his nervous
system through exercise in the open air, ana IL
stands to that he will feel far more inclined
Ito do things" than he would if physically inre-
rior
At the same time, the exercise he takes,
through its benefcent action his nerves, circu-
lation and general physique will tend to increase
in him feelings of self-confdence
Which is most fortunate, since self-confdence
is one of the essential elements in initiative The
man who distrusts his own powers will always De
slow to act, will always hesitate about coming to
decisions and striking out for himself.
He will be follower of some other leader. He
will never be his own leader and the leader OF
other people.
Still, helpful though physical training is to a
man deficient in initiative, it is not OF itself
enough. There must also be mental training
For habits of tmidity and doubt have to be
overcome. And ability to think quickly, accurately
and with penetrating imagination needs to be de-
veloped.
Every time the deficient one finds himself con-
fronted with a business problem he should make
it point to try to quickly the consequences
of the possible solution open to him.
He should not him" and "ha" and Il wonder
this" and Il wonder that" Rapidly he should re-
view before his minds eye the various courses
of action he take.
From among these let him promptly select one
and take it.
No matter if he selects unwisely. He has at
least begun the process of emancipating himself
from the thrall of indecision and mental Inertia
Next time, having profited from the experience
of his mistake, he will be in a position to foresee
consequences more clearly. Whereas if he had not
acted at all he would have learned nothing, would
have gained nothing.
All men of great power Of initiative have made
mistakes. This is inevitable. But, their his
tory of ultimate eoquently testifes, out Of
mistakes they have grown in wisdom.
And the who fears to act lest he act
faulty is manifesty man who will never give
himself a real chance to grow in wisdom-or to
grow in the power to act.
Copyright, 1917, by The Associated Newspapers.)