安德魯·卡內基/Andrew Carnegie
It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon then at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the frst hours of their business lives sweeping out the offce. I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offces, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of a business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the offce if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.
Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is“aim high.”I would not give a fg for theyoung man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important frm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself,“My place is at the top.”Be king in your dreams.
And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret：concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fght it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.
The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here, there, and everywhere.“Don't put all your eggs in one basket.”is all wrong. I tell you“put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket.”Look round you and take notice, men who do that not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.