Page 10 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned

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NAPOLEON HILL THINK AND GROW RICH

Just what young Barnes said to Mr. Edison on that occasion was far less impor-
tant than that which he thought. Edison, himself, said so! It could not have been
the young man's appearance which got him his start in the Edison office, for that
was definitely against him. It was what he THOUGHT that counted. If the sig-
nificance of this statement could be conveyed to every person who reads it, there
would be no need for the remainder of this book.

Barnes did not get his partnership with Edison on his first interview. He did get
a chance to work in the Edison offices, at a very nominal wage, doing work that
was unimportant to Edison, but most important to Barnes, because it gave him
an opportunity to display his "merchandise" where his intended "partner" could
see it. Months went by. Apparently nothing happened to bring the coveted goal
which Barnes had set up in his mind as his DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE. But
something important was happening in Barnes' mind. He was constantly intensi-
fying his DESIRE to become the business associate of Edison.

Psychologists have correctly said that "when one is truly ready for a thing, it puts
in its appearance." Barnes was ready for a business association with Edison,
moreover, he was DETERMINED TO REMAIN READY UNTIL HE GOT THAT
WHICH HE WAS SEEKING.

He did not say to himself, "Ah well, what's the use? I guess I'll change my mind
and try for a salesman's job." But, he did say, "I came here to go into business
with Edison, and I'll accomplish this end if it takes the remainder of my life." He
meant it! What a different story men would have to tell if only they would adopt a
DEFINITE PURPOSE, and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an
all-consuming obsession!

Maybe young Barnes did not know it at the time, but his bulldog determination,
his persistence in standing back of a single DESIRE, was destined to mow down
all opposition, and bring him the opportunity he was seeking.

When the opportunity came, it appeared in a different form, and from a different
direction than Barnes had expected. That is one of the tricks of opportunity. It has
a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form
of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize
opportunity. Mr. Edison had just perfected a new office device, known at that
time, as the Edison Dictating Machine (now the Ediphone). His salesmen were
not enthusiastic over the machine. They did not believe it could be sold without
great effort. Barnes saw his opportunity. It had crawled in quietly, hidden in a
queer looking machine which interested no one but Barnes and the inventor.