Claude Wilson, Gleaner Writer
HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG (1892-1986), founder of the Worldwide Church of God and widely known for his appearance on the World Tomorrow television and radio broadcasts, is the author of several books, booklets and wrote hundreds of articles in the massively subscribed Plain Truth magazine.
Among his incisive and insightful works are The Missing Dimension in Sex, The United States & Britain in Prophecy, both written in 1967, The Incredible Human Potential (1978), Mystery of the Ages (1985), The Wonderful World Tomorrow (1979).
While as an editorial staff of a national magazine a young Herbert Armstrong's assignment was investigating business conditions, reporting workable ideas and facts. He interviewed big businessmen, chambers of commerce officials, merchants and manufacturers for the business news.
"One of the things my editors assigned me to investigate was the reason behind the success of the few, and the failure of the many," said Armstrong. "I asked the opinions of hundreds of businessmen. Most thought success resulted merely from superior ability, and failure from lack of it."
In the 1961 book, The Seven Laws of Success, he gave what it called the classic answer to why only the very few, men and women, are successful in life, proving that no human need ever become a failure.
General principles of character as honesty, patience, loyalty, courtesy, dependability, punctuality, etc., are not considered except, as these are automatically included in the seven rules.
SUCCESS LAW #1:
Fix the right goal!
Not just any goal. Most 'successful' men had goals. They drive themselves relentlessly to accomplishment. But making money, gaining status in the eyes of people, enjoying the pleasure of the five senses, have literally strewn the pathway of history with fears, worries, heartaches, troubled consciences, sorrows, frustrations, empty lives and death.
"These things may be had and enjoyed along with true success. But they alone do not bring success. The right goal includes something more," Armstrong concluded.
SUCCESS LAW #2:
Education or Preparation
How can one expect to accomplish his purpose unless he acquires the know-how?
"Most people fail to set any definite goals and having no specific aims, they neglect the specialised EDUCATION to make possible the attainment of their purpose."
SUCCESS LAW #3:
Good Health
Some of the most famous physicians and surgeons have said that 90 to 95 per cent of all sickness is in some way affected by faulty diet. Most people, Armstrong said, are in utter ignorance of the fact that it does make a difference what we eat!
"Most people, and the customs of [Western] society, have followed a regimen of eating whatever tastes good to the palate."
Modern, degenerative diseases are the effects of eating food fabricated in factories, usually having excess of starch, sugar and fats. A type of malnutrition, lacking of needed minerals and vitamins in foods, cause others.
SUCCESS LAW #4:
Drive
Accomplishment is DOING. Half-hearted effort might carry one a little way toward his or her goal, but it will never get him or her far enough to reach it.
"You will always find the executive head of any growing, successful organisation employs drive. He puts a constant prod on himself. He not only drives himself, he drives those under him, else they might lag, let down and stagnate," says The Seven Laws of Success.
SUCCESS LAW #5:
Resourcefulness
Life constantly encounters hazards, obstacles, unexpected problems or setbacks. You may be proceeding along right on schedule, when BANG! Out of nowhere comes an unexpected complication.
So, to meet these constantly arising problems, you must have resourcefulness. You need a cool head, to think rapidly, yet clearly and logically so as to make wise decision.
SUCCESS LAW #6:
Perseverance
"Nine in 10, at least once or twice in a lifetime, come to the place where they appear to be totally defeated. All is lost! Apparently, that is.
"They give up and quit, when just a little more determined hanging on, just a little more faith and perseverance, just a little more STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS would have turned apparent certain failure into glorious success.
Law number six then is PERSEVERANCE and stick-to-it-iveness.
SUCCESS LAW #7:
Godliness
Well! It would certainly seem that if one follows the so far mentioned six laws of success nothing more should be required. 'Successful' people usually follow the six principles. They gained their goals, made money, and attained recognised status. They enjoy the passing pleasures.
But, according to Herbert Armstrong's The Seven Laws of Success, many of the 'successful' people studied led empty lives. "They were never satisfied, they were discontented, never finding lasting, permanent, enduring happiness." Continuing, "they did not take their acquisitions with them when they died, and their fame died with them."
What they lacked was the application of success law number seven, the most important law of all. "That ALL-IMPORTANT seventh law of success, nevertheless, is having contact with, and the guidance and continuous help of GOD."
Armstrong concluded, "The person who does put this seventh law last is very probably dooming his or her life to failure at the end."
