BUSINESS LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14808, 11 October 1911, Page 10

BUSINESS LIFE.

ON DOING THINGS WELL. Thkbe :is a story of Lord Napier that once he was anxious to find the right man among some young officers to do, a certain piece of important work. He sent for several of his suite, and finally selected three for his test. This was for the performance of some very ordinary routine work, which, as a general thing, would not be given to an officer at all.

The first two considered the duties very much beneath them, and * discharged them in a very perfunctory manner, complaining all the while of the affront which had been put on them. The third young officer was prompt, energetic, and . thorough, , and acquitted himself with much credit. How was it," asked Lord Napier, " that you thought such matters worthy of such pains ? " The young fellow blushed, for he thought perhaps the general might regard him as an officer who had wasted too much energy on matters of little moment. "Beg pardon, general," he said, "but I did my tasks like that just for the fun of seeing how well I could do them." The grim old general's face relaxed into a pleasant smile, and he said, Well, you are promoted to bo a captain. Just see how much fun you can get ov*- of doing your best in. that position." ■■; WASTE NO DAY. A day lived . for fame may often be wasted. A day lived for our own "pleasure is always wasted. A day lived for selfish gain of any kind is worse than wasted. But a day lived for the efficient performance' of- one's tasks, a day into which we crowd all the kind words and helpful actions we can,, is a day in which we are sowing seed for all time and all eternity. No such day.is ever wasted.

If we sit down at set of sun, And count the tilings which we have done, And counting, find One self-denying act. one word That eased the heart of him who heard, One glance most kind That fell like sunshine where it went. Then we can count the day well spent. Duty-doing, as some one has well said, is not a matter to be put on or off like a coat. There is never a moment in one's life, sleeping or waking, without its attendant task. There is no distinction between the days that are "crowded with duties and any other days. ' Duty-doing is simply doing the next thing: doing what ought to be done, doing it when it ought to be done, and doing it as well as -you can.