Just a little over two years ago, we published a motivational fable called,
The Diamond Line, a tribute to Russell Conwell’s masterpiece, Acres of Diamonds.
The Diamond Line weaves together fact and fiction—including real events and quotes from the famous people the book features. As with our other fables, you should find it entertaining, educational and short enough to be read in a single afternoon. We thought it might be fun to share
a brief excerpt with you. (If you want to keep reading, we have a special going on the Kindle version!)
P.T. Barnum’s Challenge…
In the spirit of equal play, I have a bone to pick with you as well, Miss Scovel,” P.T. Barnum said. “Do tell,” Florence said.
“Regarding your belief that one can turn mental visions into real things,” Barnum said. “Is it your position that this can be achieved for anything one wants, large or small?”
“Most certainly,” Florence said. “If one wishes a thing badly enough and can hold the vision of it in the mind’s
eye long enough, it must—by universal law—manifest in the real world.”
Barnum nodded as if in agreement, then continued: “And is it your belief that this process can be used for any quantity of things one wishes for, without limit?”
“I feel as if you are examining me during a trial,” Florence
said.
“To the contrary, Miss Scovel—I am not examining you; I am examining your theory,” Barnum said. “So, please answer.”
“Yes, the process works for any one thing, and for any number of things,” Florence said.
“This is where I believe you have it wrong,” Barnum said.
“While I am on board with the general concept, I believe the reason many persons are kept poor is because they are too visionary. Every project looks to them like certain success, and therefore they keep changing from one business to another, always in hot water, always under the
harrow...
Clouding one’s mind with visions of this and that—of more and more and then even more after that—is the folly of fools! I contend that many a man has acquired a fortune by doing one thing thoroughly, while his neighbor remains poor for life because he has ‘half done’ many.
Were I to be
asked for the single key to success, most would assume my answer would be the art of showmanship, or the power of promotion, but it is not,” Barnum said. “My answer would be contained in a single word…”
Ever the showman, P.T. Barnum paused for several seconds before delivering the answer, and I found myself on the edge of my seat.
“And that word is, focus,” Barnum said finally.
“That is the bone I must pick with your theory, Miss Scovel. In my experience successful men do not scatter their powers—they focus on one thing and do that thing with boldness!
They engage in
one kind of business only, and stick to it faithfully until they have succeeded, knowing the constant hammering of a single nail will drive it home at last. When a man's undivided attention is centered on one object—and one object alone—the mind will constantly be suggesting improvements of value which would escape him if his brain were occupied by a dozen different subjects at once. Many a fortune has slipped through a man's fingers because he was engaged in too many occupations at a
time.”
“As one who agrees wholeheartedly with your beliefs, I must say that P.T. has made a good case, Florence,” Dr. Conwell said.
“I agree,” James Bailey chimed in. “There is good sense in the old caution against having too many irons in the fire.”
The group went silent and waited as Florence considered her response. Finally she spoke.
