Part 2 (1/2)

”For years I have kept an engagement book showing all the appointments I had during the day. My family never made any plans for me on Sat.u.r.day night, for the family knew that I devoted a part of each Sat.u.r.day evening to the illuminating process of self-examination and review and appraisal. After dinner I went off by myself, opened my engagement book, and thought over all the interviews, discussions and meetings that had taken place during the week. I asked myself:

'What mistakes did I make that time?'

'What did I do that was right-and in what way could I have improved my performance?'

'What lessons can I learn from that experience?'

”I often found that this weekly review made me very unhappy. I was frequently astonished at my own blunders.

Of course, as the years pa.s.sed, these blunders became less frequent. Sometimes I was inclined to pat myself on the back a little after one of these sessions.

This system of self-a.n.a.lysis, self-education, continued year after year, did more for me than any other one thing I have ever attempted.

”It helped me improve my ability to make decisions - and it aided me enormously in all my contacts with people. I cannot recommend it too highly.”

Why not use a similar system to check up on your application of the principles discussed in this book? If you do, two things will result.

First, you will find yourself engaged in an educational process that is both intriguing and priceless.

Second, you will find that your ability to meet and deal with people will grow enormously.

9. You will find at the end of this book several blank pages on which you should record your triumphs in the application of these principles. Be specific. Give names, dates, results. Keeping such a record will inspire you to greater efforts; and how fascinating these entries will be when you chance upon them some evening years from now!

In order to get the most out of this book:

a. Develop a deep, driving desire to master the principles of human relations,

b. Read each chapter twice before going on to the next one.

c. As you read, stop frequently to ask yourself how you can apply each suggestion.

d. Underscore each important idea.

e. Review this book each month.

f . Apply these principles at every opportunity. Use this volume as a working handbook to help you solve your daily problems.