Everyday efficiency; a practical guide to efficient living

Foreword

The material in this volume has been extensively used as a correspondence course. Hundreds of letters testify to remarkable benefits derived from it. Similar results may be secured from the employment of the material in its present form, provided the lessons are studied closely and the exercises practised persistently.

The object of the present publication is to bring this system of instruction in Personal Efficiency within the reach of the many who can not afford the cost of a correspondence course, which usually ranges from fifteen to fifty dollars.

It has been deemed advisable to adhere to the original arrangement of lessons with test questions. The student is strongly advised to treat the material in the same manner as he would if he were receiving one lesson each week, with the obligation of returning answers to the questions at the same intervals.

Forbes Lindsay.

Contents

PART L— MENTAL EFFICIENCY Chapter I. Introduction I

Definition and description of Personal Efficiency — Personal Efficiency an essential basis for Vocational Efficiency — Efficiency makes for greater performance of better quality in less time — The secret of success in business — Efficiency is primarily a mental condition — Outline of the course of instruction contained in the volume — Some suggestions for study and practice.

Chapter II. Suggestion 14

Suggestion the most powerful factor in our mental processes — Suggestion defined and explained — Its extensive part in our everyday life — The subjective or sub-conscious mind — The power of Suggestion illustrated — Practical aspect of Auto-Suggestion — The value of self-analysis — Direct use of Suggestion in self-improvement — Various forms of Suggestion described — Methods of employing Auto-Suggestion for personal benefit — Exercises in the use of Suggestion — Books on kindred subjects — Review questions.

Chapter III. Will, Perseverance, Concentration 53

The part of Will in self-improvement, character-building and personal Efficiency — Intelligent cultivation of the Will — Self- Suggestion as a medium to that end — Will in the formation of habit — Resolution and decision in the permanent mental attitude — The power of purpose in stimulating Will — Waning Will to be guarded against — Component elements of Perseverance — Methods of sustaining Will — How to cultivate Concentration — Books on kindred subjects — Exercises in Concentration — Review questions.

Chapter IV. Fear, Timidity, Worry ... 77

The demoralizing effect of Fear — Analysis of the Fear feeling — Fear a habit which may be overcome by simple means — Methods of eradicating Fear — Attacking the emotion in its in-

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cipiency — The application of suggestion to the task — The influence of physical attitude in the effort — Auto-Suggestion one of the most powerful aids — Distinction between Fear and Timidity — Common causes of Timidity — Abnormal self-esteem a frequent cause — Methods of overcoming Timidity — The damaging effects of Worry — The effects of morbid emotions on the physical system — How to obtain relief from Worry — Exercises in overcoming Fear, Timidity and Worry — Books on kindred subjects — Review questions.

Chapter V. Cheerfulness 97

The Cheerful attitude in everyday life — Cheerfulness one of the most easily acquired characteristics — Possibility of its cultivation under all circumstances — Its influence upon health, happiness and business success — Methods of fostering Cheerfulness — The saving grace of humor — Cheerfulness a cumulative quality — The physiological effect of laughter — Importance of not dwelling on errors and failures — Rational philosophy without indifference — Advisable to cultivate a reasonable egotism — How to withstand the petty frictions of life — The art of being agreeable — Exercises in Cheerfulness — Books on kindred subjects — Review questions.

Chapter VI. Poise, Observation, Memory . .114

Definition of Poise — The need of some definite interest outside of business — Growth should be in breadth as well as in height — Time devoted to an avocation is well spent — Poise in the sense of self-control — Physical conditions conducive to the maintenance of Poise — Mental conditions essential to the maintenance of Poise — The value of Poise in business life — The secret of working hard without hurry — Keen Observation an uncommon quality — Developing the power of Observation — Practical methods of cultivation — Fallacies with regard to Memory — Good Memory a matter of training — It depends largely upon interest — The parts played by Concentration and Observation in strengthening Memory — Undesirable to load the Memory with useless matter — Judgment in the use of notebooks and memoranda — Methods of training the Memory — Exercises in Poise, Observation and Memory — Review questions.

Chapter VII. Purpose, Ideals . . . .132

A well-defined Purpose and systematic plan for its achievement essential to success in life — Illustrations of the effect of Purpose in shaping the course of life — Ideals classified and de-

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fined— The Ultimate Ideal as the guiding star— Contributory Ideals made to serve the main Purpose — Lateral Ideals or side issues — Important considerations in the formation of Ideals — Ambition is to be commended, but Ideals should be practical and within the scope of aptitude — Exercises in the formation of Purpose and Ideals — Review questions.

PART II— PHYSICAL EFFICIENCY Chapter VIII. Various Phases of Hygiene . . 147

Suggestions for everyday health practice — Almost all illness is avoidable — Ignorance and carelessness the chief causes of disease — Steps necessary to the recovery of good health — Advisability of proceeding gradually — Simple means often sufficient to remove disorders — How to avoid and how to cure colds — Nature's remedies always to be recommended — Causes of headaches — Tobacco and alcohol — Posture in standing and walking — Eyes, ears, teeth, feet and hands — The man of middle age, his complaints and his condition — Books on kindred subjects — Exercises in physical development and deep breathing — Review questions.

Chapter IX. Food 174

The value of scientific Food regulation — Many complaints may be cured solely by appropriate diet — " We eat too much. We eat too fast. We eat without discrimination." — The stomach peculiarly susceptible to habit — The functions of Food explained — The necessity of knowing Food values — How to plan diet reform — Not advisable to make a shibboleth of the matter — Indigestion the root of innumerable troubles — Four essential needs of the body filled by Food — Classification of Foods — The process of nutrition described — Books on kindred subjects — Exercise in correct eating — Review questions.

Chapter X. Exercise 195

The effect of Exercise on the body — Useless muscular development to be avoided — Exercise should be regulated to the needs of the individual — The question is related to the factors of food, physique, environment, etc. — Intelligent regulation of kind and quantity recommended — Various desirable forms of Exercise — The weekly stint should be regarded as extra —

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Special needs of Exercise in the winter — The value of engaging the mind in physical activities — " Never sit when you can stand and never ride when you can walk." — Objection to calisthenic exercises — Books on kindred subjects — Exercises in physical development — Review questions.

Chapter XL Rest .212

The harmfulness of the restless condition — The American disease of " nerves " — Explanation of the true condition of fatigue — Moderate spells of work, alternating with short spells of Rest, best method of labor — It is possible to work hard all day and finish comparatively fresh — Fatigue often due to other causes than overwork — The value of learning to relax at will — Excessive fatigue is generally avoidable — Lack of system involves waste of energy — Sleep and the sub-conscious mind — Rest and quiet advisable before going to bed — Regulation of the individual amount of sleep — Fifteen minute rules of hygiene- Exercise in relaxation — Review questions.

PART IIL— FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENCY Chapter XII. Time Consumption . . . .231

Disposition of Time the primary factor in all achievement — The obligation attaching to leisure — The demands of modern business necessitate efficiency in private life — The first step in reformation is honest and thorough of the conditions to be reformed — " Spare time " is rarely regulated or turned to good account — Reducing Time Consumption to a system — Specimen schedule to govern a day — Saving time by reduction of waste — Principles governing ideal regulation of Time — Systematical control of Time entails freedom from harassment — Exercise in Time Consumption — Review questions.

Chapter XIII. Records and Plans . . . 246

Six essentials in efficient doing — Their interdependence and corelation explained — Examples of the universal need for Records — Various uses of Records set forth — The psychological effect not to be everlooked — Records of the utmost importance in private affairs — Value of habitually making Plans in minor matters — Efficient despatching dependent on preparatory Plans — Suggestions for applying the principles of Planning to the affairs of everyday life — Review questions.

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Chapter XIV. Scheduling, Despatching, Standardizing 258

Lack of will and perseverance the only difficulties in the way of acquiring Functional Efficiency — Schedules and Despatching defined and explained in their relations to Time, Standards, Plans, etc. — Schedules absolutely essential to system — Orderliness of life dependent on prompt Despatching — Life filled with good intentions and fine plans wasted for lack of execution — Schedules a stimulus to energy and a preventive of waste — The ultimate benefits of the course of study and practice contained in this volume — Review questions.

Answers to the review questions attached to each chapter.