I know a former soap salesman who used even to ask for criticism. When he first started
out selling soap for Colgate, orders came slowly. He worried about losing his job. Since
he knew there was nothing wrong with the soap or the price, he figured that the trouble
must be himself. When he failed to make a sale, he would often walk around the block
trying to figure out what was wrong. Had he been too vague? Did he lack enthusiasm?
Sometimes he would go back to the merchant and say: "I haven't come back here to try
to sell you any soap. I have come back to get your advice and your criticism. Won't you
please tell me what I did that was wrong when I tried to sell you soap a few minutes
ago? You are far more experienced and successful than I am. Please give me your
criticism. Be frank. Don't pull your punches."
This attitude won him a lot of friends and priceless advice.
What do you suppose happened to him? Today, he is president of the Colgate-
Palmolive-Peet Soap Company-the world's largest makers of soap. His name is E. H.
Little. Last year, only fourteen people in America had a larger income than he had:
$240,141.
It takes a big man to do what H. P. Howell, Ben Franklin, and E. H. Little did. And now,
while nobody is looking, why not peep into the mirror and ask yourself whether you
belong in that kind of company 1
To keep from worrying about criticism, here is Rule 3:
Let's keep a record of the fool things we have done and criticise ourselves. Since we
can't hope to be perfect, let's do what E.H. Little did: let's ask for unbiased, helpful,
constructive criticism.
Part Six In A Nutshell - How To Keep From Worrying About Criticism
RULE 1: Unjust criticism is often a disguised compliment. It often means that you have
aroused jealousy and envy. Remember that no one ever kicks a dead dog.
RULE 2: Do the very best you can; and then put up your old umbrella and keep the rain
of criticism from running down the back of your neck.
RULE 3: Let's keep a record of the fool things we have done and criticise ourselves.
Since we can't hope to be perfect, let's do what E. H. Little did: let's ask for unbiased,
helpful, constructive criticism.
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Part Seven - Six Ways To Prevent Fatigue And Worry And Keep Your Energy And
Spirits High
Chapter 23: How To Add One Hour A Day To Tour Waking Life
Why am I writing a chapter on preventing fatigue in a book on preventing worry? That is
simple: because fatigue often produces worry, or, at least, it makes you susceptible to
worry. Any medical student will tell you that fatigue lowers physical resistance to the
common cold and hundreds of other diseases and any psychiatrist will tell you that