Being a gentleman isn't a characteristic that is acquired by age but one that is earned by a mans actions throughout his life. To be a gentleman one needs to have virtue and diligence even when there isn't a soul in the room. Virtue is not to be a religious man but a man that has the
Highest behavior moral standard. Being virtuous can lead to a life of well being and happiness, which in this crazy world might be the only thing that can keep our interpeace. Diligence can simply be define as never giving up even when no one is looking. The reason I bring this up is because the other day I read an amazing article called "
The Road To Business Success: A Talk To Young Men" written by Andrew Carnegie.
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| Andrew Carnegie |
I want to share highlights of this article with the world that have not read it.
1. Everyone start out as a sweeper
Carnegie says that no matter who you are, do not be scared to do the dirtiest (literally) or a duty that is not under you description.
2. If you don't see yourself as a partner, no one else will
Carnegie says that if you are in a firm that you enjoy working for and you are at one of the bottom position. Envision yourself as the next owner or else you will be stuck in that position for the rest of your time at the company.
3. There are 3 dangers that could destroy a man
Carnegie says that are 3 dangers that every young man faces in his life and that he must over come. The first danger and the most seductive is the consumption of liquor. Liquor makes a gentleman lose his ground and helps his competition get a leg up. If one must drink then do so at home and do not drink enough where people will lose their respect for you because of your actions.
The second danger is that of speculation or investing in stocks or gambling which are not in the control of the gentleman. The reason is that a person might be a millionaire one day and broke the next. A true gentleman invest in opportunities that have true value or could without the risk of the stock market. The finally danger is that of endorsing people including your close friends. Carnegie says that a man shouldn't be security to a friend because as a businessman one shouldn't put his reputation on the line.
4. Attract attention to move forward and up
Get the attention of your superiors by double checking other peoples work and being able to find errors. Do something that goes beyond the description of your duties.
5. Always break orders to save owners
If an idea that your superiors want to do does not have the best interest of the firm that stand up like a man and state your case. He will see that you are a man isn't there to earn a paycheck but one who wants to help the firm succeed.
6. Predominates in the future millionaire
A gentleman not only earns his money by working hard but he saves his money everything that he comes in contact with it. Capitalist will trust a man that has money saved up, to be clear it is not about the amount of money in his bank account but the characteristics of the man who saved it.
7. No young man has ever had it easy
There are a lot of brilliant minds, eager to learn, and be employed. The surplus is never going down and this isn't for one city but all cities. It doesn't matter what your race is, how much money you come from, or your education. The man that wants to succeed will do so because he has the mentality to conquer.
8. The greatest secret to success
Carnegie says that the greatest secret to success is to put your eggs in one basket and watch it grow. If a man has his capital spread out through different industries it is the same as scratching his brain. The one fault in an American Business man is the lack of concentration.
This is one of my favorites articles, I encourage everyone to read the wise words of Andrew Carnegie.
"The partner's sons will not trouble you much, but look out that some boys poorer, much poorer than yourselves, whose parents cannot afford to give them the advantages of a course in this institute, advantages which should give you a decided lead in the race--look out that such boys do not challenge you at the post and pass you at the grand stand. Look out for the boy who has to plunge into work direct from the common school and who begins by sweeping out the office. He is the probable dark horse that you had better watch."-Andrew Carnegie
