by Napoleon Hill
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So Clarence had a problem ? and that was good. At least, according to the PMA Science of Success course, it was good. Clarence decided that perhaps he had better visit Napoleon Hill (who was living in Canton at the time) and see how and why this problem was so good. He called Mr. Hill and arranged for an appointment the next afternoon.
"I've read Think and Grow Rich, Mr. Hill, and I've studied the PMA Science of Success, but somewhere I must have gotten off on the wrong track." And he told Napoleon Hill what had happened to him. "Now what do I do?" he concluded.
Napoleon Hill smiled. "Let's look at your problem," he said. "You were dissatisfied with your work as it was. You did exactly right. You tried to use your best asset, your friendly and affable disposition, to do a better job and get and give more satisfaction on the job. The problem arises from the fact that your superior didn't have the imagination to see the value of what you were doing. But that's wonderful! Why? Because now you are in a position to use your fine personality for even greater goals."
And Napoleon Hill showed Clarence Lantzer that he could use his fine abilities and friendly disposition to much better advantage as a salesman than as a streetcar conductor. So Clarence applied for and got a job as an agent for the New York Life Insurance Company.
The first prospect Clarence called on was the president of the streetcar company. Clarence turned his personality loose on this gentleman, and came out of the office with an application for a $100,000 policy!
The last time Hill saw Lantzer, he had become one of New York Life's biggest producers.
Are you a square peg in a round hole? The characteristics, abilities, and capacities that make you happy and successful in one environment may create an opposite reaction in another. You have a tendency to do well what you want to do.
You are called a "square peg in a round hole" when you work or engage in activities that do not come naturally, and that are inwardly repellent. In such an unhappy situation you can change your position and place yourself in an environment that is pleasing to you.
It may not be feasible to change your position. You can then make adjustments in your environment to coincide with your characteristics, abilities, and capacities so that you will be happy. When you do this, you "square the hole." This solution will help change your attitude from negative to positive.
If you develop and maintain a burning desire to do so, you can even neutralize and change your tendencies and habits by establishing new ones. You can "round the peg" if you are sufficiently motivated. But before you achieve success in changing your tendencies and habits, be prepared to face mental and moral conflicts. You can win if you are willing to pay the price. You may find it difficult to pay each necessary installment ? particularly the first few. But when you have paid in full, the newly established traits will predominate. The old tendencies and
habits will become dormant. You will be happy because you will be doing what now comes naturally.
To guarantee success it is desirable that you try zealously to maintain physical, mental, and moral health during the period of such an internal struggle.
In the next chapter, "Your Magnificent Obsession," you will see how to neutralize your mental conflicts.
PILOT NO. 14 Thoughts to Steer By
1. Satisfaction is a mental attitude.
2. Your own mental attitude is the one thing you possess over which you alone have complete control.
3. Memorize: I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel terrific!
4. When you set a goal ? aim higher!
5. Know the rules and understand how to apply them.
6. Set your target and keep trying until you hit it.
7. See beyond the routine. Use the step-stone theory.
8. Develop inspirational dissatisfaction.
9. What do you do if you are a square peg in a round hole?
DEFEAT MAY BE A STEPPING STONE
OR A STUMBLING BLOCK
DEPENDING ON WHETHER
YOUR ATTITUDE IS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
CHAPTER 15 Your Magnificent Obsession
With the idea that we are about to give you, you can have riches far beyond your fondest hope.
This idea will bring you a wealth of happiness. For your personality will expand. And you will receive affection and love, both of a quality and a quantity you have never before dreamed possible.
