An Afterword

On reading the foregoing pages after they have been set up in type, we are impressed with the idea that in spite of our determination, as expressed in the first few pages, not to attempt to lay down a code of rules or a course of conduct which should be considered as an infallible Guide to Success—in spite of our vowed determination not to pose as a teacher or preacher—we have nevertheless managed to do considerable in the direction of “laying down the law” so far as is concerned naming of things to be done, or avoided.

Reading the preceding pages after they have been set in type, we are struck by a thought. In the first few pages, we declared our determination not to offer an infallible Guide to Success. We did not intend to lay down a code of rules or a course of conduct. We also vowed not to pose as a teacher or preacher. Despite those intentions, we have nevertheless done quite a bit of “laying down the law” about what to do or avoid.

However, we feel that the advice given is good, and that the various examples quoted are calculated to arouse within the mind of the reader the Spirit that leads to Success. And, with this thought, we send forth these pages to those who may attract them to themselves, or who may be attracted to them—under the Law of Attraction.

However, we believe the advice is good. We also believe the examples are likely to awaken in readers the Spirit that leads to Success. With this in mind, we send these pages out to those who may attract them, or be attracted to them, under the Law of Attraction.

But we feel that we shall not have completed our task unless we, once more, remind the reader that Success is not to be gained by a blind and slavish following of anyone’s rules or advice, our own any more than any other persons. There is no Royal Road to Success—no Patent Process by which the unsuccessful are to be magically transformed into Captains of Industry or Magnates of Wall Street. There is nothing more amusing, or pitiful, according to how one views it, than the bulk of Success Talk given to the public by self-appointed teachers and preachers. There is no one who can in a few pages point out to seekers after Success an infallible method whereby each and everyone may attain the Success and Attainment that their hearts crave. It is a cold, hard truth that each and every man must work out his own salvation in the matter of Success. Rules and advice may greatly assist—and they undoubtedly do this—but the individual must accomplish the real work. He must carve out his own Destiny, and there is no power above or below that will do the work for him if he refuses to perform it himself.

But we feel we have not completed our task without reminding the reader once more of this truth. Success cannot be gained by blindly and slavishly following anyone’s rules or advice, including our own. There is no royal road to success. There is no patented process that can magically turn unsuccessful people into leaders of industry or Wall Street magnates. Little is more amusing, or more pitiful, depending on your view, than most success talk offered by self-appointed teachers and preachers. No one can offer success seekers a foolproof method in a few pages. No such method can give everyone the success and achievement their hearts desire. The cold, hard truth is that each person must work out their own salvation in the pursuit of success. Rules and advice can help greatly, and they undoubtedly do. But each person must do the real work. Each must carve out their own destiny. No power above or below will do that work for them if they refuse to do it themselves.

The old saying that “God helps him who helps himself” is true in more senses than one. It is true in the sense that the Higher Aid seems to refuse to come to the assistance of one who is not willing to strike out for him and do his best. But it is true in another sense—this Aid does come to one who will throw heart and soul into the task set before him, and who will do each days work the best he know how, with hope in his soul, and a confident expectation of better things right ahead, around the turn of the road. The wise man is the one who takes courageously the step right ahead of him, planting his foot firmly and confidently upon it, although he is unable to see further ahead. To such a one step after step is illuminated as he proceeds, and he reaches his goal, whereas the shrinking ones, who have feared to take the obvious step because they could not see beyond it, are still waiting for something to turn up. This waiting business is a poor policy—as Garfield said: “Don’t wait for something to turn up—go out and turn something up.” Take the step before you boldly and hopefully, and the next step will then appear. The thing to do is that which lies right before you to be done—do it the best you know how, feeling assured that in its doing you will be making progress toward the better things for which your heart has been longing. New ideas come while you are in action—in the doing of things comes the inspiration for the doing of greater things. You can always get a better “running start” when in action, which will give you an advantage over the best “standing start” imaginable. Get into action and motion.

The old saying that “God helps him who helps himself” is true in more than one sense. Higher Aid seems unwilling to help someone who will not strike out for himself and do his best. But this Aid does come to someone who puts his heart and soul into the task before him. It comes to someone who does each day’s work as well as he can, with hope in his heart. He confidently expects better things just ahead, around the bend in the road. A wise person courageously takes the next step, planting his foot firmly and confidently, although he cannot see beyond it. As he moves forward, each step becomes clear, and he reaches his goal. Meanwhile, timid people are still waiting for something to turn up. They feared taking the obvious step because they could not see beyond it. Waiting is a poor policy. As Garfield said: “Don’t wait for something to turn up. Go out and turn something up.” Take the step before you boldly and hopefully, and the next step will appear. Do the work right in front of you, and do it as well as you can. Be confident that doing it will move you toward the better things your heart has longed for. New ideas come while you are in action. Doing things inspires you to do greater things. When you are in motion, you can always get a better “running start.” That will give you an advantage over the best “standing start” imaginable. Get moving and take action.

In this little work we have endeavored to call your attention to something of far greater importance than a mere code of rules and general advice. We have pointed out to you the glorious fact that within each of you there is a Something Within, which if once aroused would give you a greatly increased power and capacity. And so we have tried to tell you this story of the Something Within, from different viewpoints, so that you might catch the idea in several ways. We firmly believe that Success depends most materially upon a recognition and manifestation of this Something Within—we think that a study of the character and work of all successful men will show you that differ as they do in personal characteristics, they all manifest that consciousness of that Something Within them that gives them an assurance of Inward Power and Strength, from which proceeds Courage and Self-Confidence. You will find that the majority of successful men feel that there is a Something helping them—back of and behind their efforts. Some have called this Thing by the name of “Luck” or “Destiny,” or some such term. But it is all a form of the same recognition of an Inward Power that they are “helped” in some way, although they are not quite sure of the nature of the helper—in fact, the majority of them do not stop to speculate upon its nature, they are too busy and are content with the knowledge that It is there. This Something Within is the Individual—the “I” in each of them—the source of the power which men manifest when they express it. And this little book is written in the hopes that to many it may be the first step toward the recognition, unfoldment and manifestation of this Inward Power.

In this short book, we have tried to draw your attention to something far more important than rules and general advice. We have pointed out the glorious fact that each of you has a Something Within. If awakened, it would give you greatly increased power and ability. We have tried to tell the story of the Something Within from different viewpoints, so you might grasp the idea in several ways. We firmly believe that Success depends greatly on recognizing and expressing this Something Within. We think a study of all successful men’s characters and work will show this. Though they differ in personal qualities, they all show an awareness of that Something Within them. This awareness gives them a sense of Inward Power and Strength, which gives rise to Courage and Self-Confidence. You will find that most successful men feel there is a Something helping them, supporting their efforts. Some have called this Thing “Luck” or “Destiny,” or used a similar term. But these are all forms of the same recognition of an Inward Power. They feel they are “helped” somehow, though they are not quite sure what the helper is. In fact, most do not stop to wonder about its nature. They are too busy and are content to know that It is there. This Something Within is the Individual, the “I” in each of them. It is the source of the power men show when they express it. This short book was written in the hope that it may help many take the first step toward recognizing, developing, and expressing this Inward Power.

We earnestly urge upon you to cultivate this “I Am” consciousness—that you may realize the Power Within you. And then there will come naturally to you the correlated consciousness which expresses itself in the statement, “I Can and I Will,” one of the grandest affirmations of Power that man can make. This “I Can and I Will” consciousness is that expression of the Something Within, which we trust that you will realize and manifest. We feel that behind all the advice that we can give you, this one thing is the Prime Factor in the Secret of Success.

We strongly urge you to develop this “I Am” consciousness so that you may realize the Power Within you. Then a related awareness will come naturally to you. It expresses itself in the statement, “I Can and I Will,” one of the greatest affirmations of Power a person can make. This “I Can and I Will” consciousness is an expression of the Something Within. We hope you will become aware of it and express it. We believe this one thing is the Prime Factor in the Secret of Success, behind all the advice we can give you.