In a situation, the views of all present decision-makers are
paramount for the leader. Now you may not have the privilege to make the last
call, but you can channel your view and stand out anywhere in life.
More than a century ago,
Edwin C. Barnes discovered how to make a point in a maze of successful folks and created a niche for himself. He engineered his ways with his thoughts into a booming partnership with the 20th
century genius, Thomas Edison. When the thought flashed across his mind, he was
in no position to act upon it. Two difficulties stood in his way. He did not
know Mr. Edison, and he did not have enough money to pay his railroad fare to
Orange, New Jersey. Those difficulties were sufficient to have discouraged the
majority of men from making any attempt to carry out the desire. A lot of
people decide to shy away from responsibilities in the light of making peace at
all costs. This is a mirage. There is a price for peace. You have to pay it
else you stand the risk of paying more with false peace. Mr. Barnes had a
strong desire with a focus and went to East Orange on a freight train.
discovered how to make
a point in a maze of successful folks and created a niche for himself. He
engineered his ways with his thoughts into a booming partnership with the 20
He presented himself at Mr. Edison’s laboratory, and announced
he had come to go into business with the inventor. In speaking of the first
meeting between Barnes and Edison, years later, the inventor said, “He stood
there before me, looking like an ordinary tramp, but there was something in the
expression of his face which conveyed the impression that he was determined to
get what he had come for. I gave him the opportunity he asked for, because,
because I saw he had made up his mind to stand by until he succeeded.
Subsequent proved that no mistake was made.” It is always true that if you look
long and hard at an object, you will see the flaws as well as the pearls. This
implies that if you determine to get the best out of a situation, you must be
ready to stand by your focus until there is the desired success. 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, nut of utmost important to Barnes, because it gave him
an opportunity to display his “merchandise” where his intended partner could
see it. Psychologists have correctly punctuated that, “when one is truly ready
for a thing, it puts in its appearance.” Barnes was ready for a business
association with Edison. He did not say to himself, “Ah well, what’s the use? I
guess I’ll change my mind and try for a salesman job.” But he did say, “I came
here to go into business with Edison and I’ll accomplish this end.”
When the opportunity came, it appeared in an entirely
different work clothes than Barnes expected. Mr Edison had just perfected a new
office device, known as the Edison Dictating Machine (also called 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.
Barnes knew he could sell the Ediphone. He suggested this to
Edison, and promptly got his chance. He did sell the machine. In fact, he sold
it so successfully that Edison gave him a contract to distribute and market it
all over the nation. Out of that business association grew the slogan, “Made by
Edison and installed by Barnes.”
Mr. Barnes made his mark with a successful man creatively
and genuinely. He built a great fortune for himself in the process and for his
partner. He desired, planned it, prepared for it and stood by until he got it.
He didn’t quit halfway. He didn’t shy away from the responsibilities attached to
his greatness. He chose to respond well despite the odd cards life dealt to
him. He had no money to begin with. He had but little education. He had no
influence. But he did have certain virtues like faith and perseverance. With these,
he created a world for himself.
You also can create your way with strong determination and achieve greater results in this present times.
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After breaking
the world's fastest record (which he was holding at the time), Usain Bolt has gone on to steadily win
several races in different competitions against fierce opponents. You can always break new ground. He attributed his success to focus, determination, hard work and several other virtues.
