Accurate analysis of men and women who had experienced failure, revealed the fact that lack of decision was a major cause of FAILURE. This is no mere statement of a theory it is a fact. PROCRASTINATION, the opposite of decision, is a common enemy which practically every man must conquer. Many analysis of successful people who had made
fortunes well beyond the million dollar mark, showed the fact that every one of them had the habit of making decisions quickly, and of changing these decisions SLOWLY, if, and when
they were changed. People who fail to make money, without exception, have the habit of making decisions, if at all, very slowly, and of changing these decisions quickly and often.
Somebody described Henry Ford’s most outstanding qualities is his habit of reaching decisions quickly and definitely, and changing them slowly. This quality is so pronounced in Mr. Ford, that it has given him the reputation of being obstinate. It was this quality which prompted Mr. Ford to continue to manufacture his famous Model “T” (the world’s ugliest car), when all of his advisors, and many of the purchasers of the car, were urging him to change it. Perhaps, Mr. Ford delayed too long in making the change, but the other side of the story is, that Mr. Ford’s firmness of decision made him a huge fortune, before the change in model became necessary. The majority of people who fail to make money sufficient for their needs, are, generally, easily influenced by the “opinions” of others. They permit the newspapers and the “gossiping” neighbors to do their “thinking” for them. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon anyone who will accept them. If you are influenced by “opinions” when you reach decisions, you will not succeed in any undertaking, much less in that of transforming your own desire into money. If you are influenced by the opinions of others, you will have no desire of your own. Keep your own counsel, and make your own decisions and
following them. Take no one into your confidence, except those who will be in complete sympathy and harmony with your purpose. Thousands of men and women carry complexes with them all through life, because some well-meaning, but ignorant person destroyed their confidence through “opinions” or ridicule.
You have a brain and mind of your own. Use it, and reach your own decisions. If you need facts or information from other people, to enable you to reach decisions, as you probably will in
many instances; get these facts or secure the information you need quietly, without revealing your purpose. Keep your eyes and ears wide open and your mouth closed, if you wish to have the habit of prompt decision. Those who talk too much do little else. If you talk more than you listen, you not only deprive yourself of many opportunities to get useful knowledge, but you also reveal your PLANS and PURPOSES to people who will take great delight in defeating you, because they envy you.
