by "Manager."
THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, Dec. 06, 1919.
My only excuse for occupying the columns of this journal is that, as the responsible head of a concern with an annual turnover of 250,000 British Pounds, I thought many readers would be interested in my opinion upon that much-discussed subject, Pelmanism. I possess no literary "style," but I trust that plain speaking in everyday language will make amends for my lack of eloquence.
To be quite candid, I hate “stunts” and “crazes,” and it was in that category that I placed Pelmanism when I first heard and read about it. I daresay there are many sound business men who have summarily dismissed it from their minds as being merely “another advertising stunt.”
Probably I should never have changed my opinion had not circumstances forced me to make closer acquaintance with Pelmanism.
Without ever having won my way to any considerable position in the business world, I was yet fairly content with my modest progress. Suddenly, however, through pressure of external circumstances, I found myself in difficulties—difficulties so great that I clutched even at straws in the hope of deliverance. It was in this mood of semi-desperation that I said to myself: “Let’s see if there is anything in this Pelmanism idea.”
LOOKING BACKWARD.
Looking back on that period of trouble, doubt, delay, and scepticism, I am forced to laugh and wonder at my unwillingness to inquire into a thing simply because it was new—and advertised. But I know I am not unique in this: I am by no means the first or the only man who, having scoffed at Pelmanism, has subsequently taken the Course and has thanked his stars that he did so.
“Is Pelmanism worth while?”—Yes; most emphatically. As the typewriter is to the quill pen, and as the motor-car is to the donkey-“shay,” so is the Pelman-trained mind in comparison with the untrained mind. It is a case of trained efficiency versus rule-o’-thumb.
And I say this not only because I have in my own case experienced such tremendous advantages as the result of Pelmanising (my income is over six times what it was before I began my study of the “little grey books”), but also because I have observed what the Course has done for other business men. (And not only business men, but professional men. I know a professional man who declares that the Pelman books are worth their weight in gold to him!)
In fact, carefully reviewing the matter, I think I may commit myself to the statement that I have yet to meet the man or woman who, having conscientiously followed the Pelman Course, has failed to benefit thereby.
AN IMPORTANT POINT.
I say “conscientiously”; and here is a point upon which I must make myself clear. The mere fact of entering your name upon the Pelman register does not make you a success; you have got to work at the Course. It is a pleasant enough study, not in the least tedious or difficult, but you must work at it seriously.
If you are not prepared to do this you may as well save yourself the trouble of enrolling. On the other hand, if you feel disposed to give up an occasional half-hour to a most interesting study of self and possibilities, then I say, without hesitation, the sooner you enroll for the Pelman Course:—
- the better for your pocket,
- the better for your business, and
- the better for your interest and pleasure in life.
Business need was the motive that led me to take up the Course, but I can truthfully say that Pelmanism has entered largely into all phases of my life. I am, of course, very sensible of what I owe to it in the monetary sense, for it has made financial difficulties a thing of the past.
In business it has developed in me:
- powers of decision
- concentration
- discernment, and
- judgment
which have proved invaluable; yet higher than these I am disposed to rate the added interest it has given to my whole life.
It is not easy to express this feeling; here is where I feel the need of eloquence. But I think the average reader will understand what I mean when I say I feel a better and bigger man—I get more out of everything—I see more—I feel more.
I suppose the handiest comparison I can make would be with a man who was purblind and whose perfect sight was suddenly restored. To such a man the world becomes much more vivid and real and delightful; whole hosts of new interests and pleasures are suddenly brought within his grasp.
Often and often, sitting alone with the “little grey books”—which I still read and re-read, by the way—I have exclaimed with positive delight at some sudden clarifying thought or idea. Every now and again I came upon something which explained an old puzzling difficulty which
- opened up a train of new ideas,
- revealed new sources of power,
- disclosed new possibilities,
- suggested new and better ways of doing things.
I have always been vain enough to consider myself a “brainy” man, but now I realise that although I had brains I did not know how to use them—hence my own comparative failure; hence my present success.
DRIVE OR BE DRIVEN.
There is a world of difference between driving a motor-car and being driven in one: equally, there is a vast difference between creating circumstances and being the creature of circumstances.
If we were disposed to be candid with ourselves, I believe the majority of us would recognise the alarming extent to which our plans and actions are decided or modified by “circumstances over which we have no control.”
A very humiliating position that; and a very unnecessary one, as Pelmanism shows. If only by reason of what the Course does in the way of students to master circumstances, Pelmanism would richly deserve all that its most enthusiastic supporters say in its praise.
The matter, to my mind, is always best considered by the light of actual experience, and when I compare my haphazard method of working in my pre-Pelman days with my present planned and organised progress, I feel well content with my progress experiment.
The discipline of the Course has, in my case, proved of inestimable worth, and I am pretty confident that even the most successful and able business man would find it add considerably to their power.
LONG MENTAL LIFE.
That brings me to another point—or rather, a belief (I say “belief” because I have no actual facts that can be quoted). I believe that a Pelman Course will do very much to prolong one’s mental activities. I was over forty when I commenced to study it: but I can honestly say that it has so increased my mental energy—that, mentally, I am as young and vigorous as at thirty.
I should be interested to know if the experiences of others tally with my own. If so—and I believe they would—this training is worthy the serious consideration of men and women well past middle life, for who is there who would not give much to preserve youthfulness of mind long after youthfulness of body is past?
However, I am no lover of theory, and there is enough of interesting fact about Pelmanism to enable me to dispense with theory. I have stated as plainly as I possibly can what the effects and results of the training have been in my case and I leave it to every reader to weigh the thing from his own particular standpoint.
I have urged many to “take it up,” and I have never heard a regret from a single one of the many who followed my advice. It is certainly worth investigating, and an impartial investigation is pretty sure to carry one further.
The end.
Remember, What matters most in your life is YOU and what you do with your life.
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