The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-03-07
ART OF ACHIEVING
Those Who Succeed Best Are Those Who
Apply Themselves Earnestly
Industrial School Journal
Industrial School Journal


acter to stay there. This should be
true, whether it is or not. am of the
opinion, however, that it is absolutely
true. There is no royal road to many of
the best things in life. The ability to get
on we'll in life, or, how to succeed is a
question all thinking persons have asked
themselves again and again. Much of
the advice given along good many
lines to-day reminds one of an old maid
or an old bachelor telling how to raise
children. am of the opinion that, adj
vice to-day goes fartherest when given
by one who has succeeded in getting
something accomplished worth while
himself. The measure of ones success
in life must of necessity depend upon
fixed principles in governing life's &C
tivities. The real measure of success
depends not upon salary, but usefulness;
yet many think they have achieved sue
cess when their pay envelope has ma
terial)y changed. 1t is not so strange
after all that the measure of mans
success is looked upon as being increased
financial strength in the commercial
world. There are higher values, how
ever, than those of money, yet the
worlds standard of success is the power
and influence of a mans purchasing
power and rating in financial circles.
The philosophy of the old colored
man is hardly workable to-day. He
said, The most of life was made up of
praying fer rain, and then wishing it
would clare up" For most of us life
is very different problem from this.
IT ia snnnnoeinn Of events contributing
toward success or failure u.....---~-..
Four things are indispensable to the
person who gets on we'll in life. First
of all, he must be possessed of an am-
bilious spirit. No one ever rises higher
than his ambition. Ambition may be
said to be the handspring of success.
An engine may be ever so we'll con-
structed, but unless it has propelling
power within it, it cannot draw even it's
own weight, much less the loaded train
depending upon it to haul it to it's des-
tination. just so with a person. He may
have ever so good an opportunity, and
the demand ever so urgent, but unless
his ambition is sufficient to carry him
along toward the realization of his de-
sire it is too ephemeral and feeting ever
to become reality.
Very closely related to ambition
stands application. Application steps
in to execute the well-drawn plans and
to realize upon the life purposes, and
endeavors to erect building that men
can see with their eyes, and touch with
their hands; one that will shelter them
from the heat and cold, and furnish
comfort to their friends. Here is where
many fellow loses out in the race for
life. Men like to talk about the better
things; the bigger jobs, the better pay,
greater comforts, the better outlook,
the brighter future-the utopia. This
is oftentimes poor apology for a fell
low to Offer If he would be honest
enough to say, had the chance and
didn't make good, people would pity
him. The difference between success
and failure is not one of talent but chief
ly one of application. Those who sue
coed best are those who apply themselves
to their task most diligently as a rule.
Application means to- stay on the job
and make the most out of it, to make
possibilities become actualities.
Another characteristic closely allied
to getting along in life is courage. 1t is
the Office of courage to stop the ears of
contestants to the songs of the sirens,
and ply the oars diligently and see to it
that the barque is kept off the rocks of
Encouragement until hope drops anchor
in the harbor called success. The voy-
age is often rough and the breakers
hard to overcome. Many times it may
seem that ones strength is almost ex-
hausted. Courage says to keep on; it
isn't far to your goal. This year will