“The path of success in business is invariably the path of common sense. Notwithstanding all that has been said about ‘lucky hits’–the best kind of success in every man’s life is not that which comes by accident.”

A BOY born on a far island of the Baltic Sea died recently in New York City, the owner of two magnificent hotels, and his income was said to be a half million dollars. He got it, not because he was smarter or had better opportu?nities than other men, but because he knew the value of service.

The average American business man and his employees do not give service such as the older countries have learned must be given. The employee is too often slipshod, indifferent and careless in his attitude toward his job; lacking in loyalty to his employer and to the house to which he is giving his time and energies. That is why he is so worthless, and why he loses his job on the least provocation. He does not see the point that some day the business may be his business; that it is possible for him to climb from the lowest place to the employer’s chair, and every stroke he makes as he climbs may be a stroke for himself. The commonest work-shop may be a school of industry and service, such as transformed a crane man at a wage of two dollars a day into the President of the Bethlehem Steel Company. When Charles M. Schwab bought the Bethlehem Steel Company, he believed that the best organization for any concern is made up of home talent; he believed in developing the abilities of the men working for him. He believed something like this: “I wonder if the big accomplishments are not a habit–the habit of getting out continually into wider and wider orbits.”

Service is what has put on the breasts of more than a hundred men at Bethlehem the diamond cross of the Pin Society which is a recognition of service; the insignia of the most exclusive society in the world. Money, “pull,” brains, birth, can?not put a name on that roll of honor; service alone is the passport, distinguished service to the Bethle?hem Steel Company.

One of these diamond cross men began working in the steel mills as a stenographer; he is now a Vice-President. Another was a college man, but he began in the boiler room. A third worked his way through college, and then began at a laborer’s job in the steel plant. From the lowest day laborers’ jobs to college graduates (who by the way forgot their diplomas and put on overalls) service has lifted men to official positions in this vast plant where so many thousands are employed that it would seem that one individual could never step out from the crowd.

What will service do for you where you are working? No matter whether you are the boss or the employee, service will bring you such returns as you have dreamed of earning but have never yet realized.

Polish up. There is a story of a grouch who complained: “I am doing my work the best I can according to my own light, and nobody can expect me to do more.” “Oh, I don’t know about that,” said his wife, “if you use poor oil and an untrimmed wick and a smoky chimney, I don’t see that that excuses you for being lazy and doing poor work.”

Don’t get mad at being “called down” when you have not done your best. Tuck this line away in your mind and say it over to yourself: ‘’ Those best can bear reproof who merit praise.”

Don’t let up a minute on service; your looks, your health, your habits, your peace of mind, having money in the bank, playing baseball or golf–all these are a part of the service which is going to boost you up the ladder.

“Menny a man has lost a good posishuu in this world bi letting go to spit on his hands.”–Josh Billings.

You can’t give good service if you are worried. It is worry, not work, that kills both the work and the man. Don’t spend all you make. Put away part of it, so that you can sleep nights, and not have a pang in the heart if sudden unexpected expenses drop on you.

“Don’t be afrade, yung man, tew make a blunder once in a while, most all the blunders are made by the hottest and sincere.”–Josh Billings.

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Tags: The Secret of Wealth