PLAN - “Think the Things You Want”

Design and plan comprise the unmistakable language of nature. Think about that for a moment.

Some people think that if they "keep everlastingly at its they will succeed, but this is not so. Working without a plan is as foolish as going to sea without a compass. A ship which has broken its rudder in mid-ocean may "keep everlastingly at it," may keep on a full head of steam, driving about all the time, but it never arrives anywhere, it never reaches any port unless by accident; and if it does find a haven, its cargo may not be suited to the people, the climate, or conditions among which it has accidentally drifted.

The ship must be directed to a definite port, for which its cargo is adapted, and where there is a demand for it, and it must aim steadily for that port through sunshine and storm, through tempest and fog. So a man who would succeed must not drift about rudderless on the ocean of life. He must not only steer straight toward his destined port when the ocean is smooth, when the currents and winds serve, but he must keep his course in the very teeth of the wind and the tempest, and even when enveloped in the fogs of disappointment and mists of opposition.

Our large ocean liners do not stop for fogs or storms; they plow straight through the rough seas with only one thing in view, their destined port, and no matter what the weather is, no matter what obstacles they encounter, their arrival in port can be predicted to within a few hours. It is practically certain, too, that the ship destined for Le Havre will not turn up at Copenhagen or Cairo.

Once you have determined your chief aim in life, it then becomes necessary for you to map out a plan for its attainment. Do this in the same manner that you would in the preparations for the erection of a new home. Each little detail is worked out to perfection before the architect hands over the plans to the contractor to begin the work of construction. A window here—a door over there; a storage closet here— everything must be worked out in an orderly fashion.

Work out your plan for attainment with the skill of an Admiral or General busily engaged in their strategy planning for operation against the enemy. In military

and naval war planning, there are always provisions made for alternative movements or changes in strategy. We should also be flexible in our planning because if one plan doesn't work we should change it and work another plan.

We can change our plans on the road to attainment, but we should not change the goal we seek.

We should not only have our overall plan written out as a guide, chart, or blueprint to follow, but we need also to employ short-range planning. Write out on a slip of paper the ten most important things lo do the next day and accomplish them in the order of their importance. This was the system followed by Hugh Chalmers, office boy of the National Cash Register Company, who soon became salesman, then sales manager, then vice-president and general manager, and then president of the concern.

In the preparation of your planning, set forth exactly what you intend to give in return for the attainment of your chief aim in life, knowing that there isn't anything to be had for nothing. We must first give before we can ever expect to receive. Include in your planning a description of your contribution.

"He who every morning plans the transactions of the day and follows out the plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life," said Victor Hugo. "The orderly arrangement of his time is like a ray of light which darts itself through all his operations."

Planning is the second step of the formula for the attainment of your wishes in life. We will now take up the third and final step—action!