THE MODERN NEED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 331, 19 September 1932, Page 2

THE MODERN NEED

MR. JAMES WYLIE'S ADDRESS ON | BEVELOPMENT OF j PERSON ALITY. | BENEFICIAL RESULTS OBTAINED Christchurch, Tuesday. The nocessity for tlie development of the individual's personality, which' he defined as "the physical expression of the power within us," was urged hy Mr. James Wylie, Director of the New Zealand Institnte of Business Science, Auckland, in an address to the Business Training Class of the Young Men's Christian Assoeiation last even- , ing. Mr. "Wylie said that for a number of years he had been engaged in educational work and for a number of years he had been engaged in what might be ealled "big business." During that time he had had any amount of opportunity of seeing the beneficial results of personality or eharacterbuilding in New Zealand. He urged his hearers to give attention to the question, as far too frequently people found themselves undertaking at 40 what they should have done at the age of 25. "Expression of Inner Power." "We hear a lot about this word 'personality,' and there is no doubt that it has been used overmuch by itinerant lecturers and others. Bri'efly, it is the physical expression of the power within us. It is quite impossible for a man who has evil within him to give the appearance of good. It is possible, however, for a man who has led an evil life to change, both inwardly and outwardly in his later years." Mr. Wylie said that the root meaning of personality was "unfolding." The development of personality might well be likened to the unfolding of a flower, and it was -achieved by constant endeavour and application in huilding up around one those things really worth while. "The educational sj^stem to-day is such that the children, instead of being repressed, are allowed to give expression. Instead of being taught georgraphy in a schoolroom they are taken out into the world, where they are in touch with real things. Until a man can express himself he is 'eribbsd, cahined and confined,' and at the mercy of others. Personality is the sum tatai of thinking, feeling, and willing, expressed throngh the medium of the hody." The fear complex, said Mr. Wylie, was banished entirely by knowledge, which was the parent of confidence. "Personality is only a state of healthfulness of body and mind. Health attracts while ill-health repels, and this may he regarded as one of the most potent faetors in salesmanship."

"Work to a Plan." "There are two depressions in New Zealand to-day — financial and personal," said Mr. Wylie. "The depression that is causing the most havoc is the personal oue. To you people, most of whom will be well under 80 years of age, it may be one of the best things that has e\er aap/ Jiuci, provided you can maintain your balance, because you cannot fail to S'ee so many cases where men have 'missed the bus' on account of their own misdoings." He said that men must be ethical in their conduct. No one who obeyed the laws they should was to-day "on the rocks." Mr. Wylie expressed the opinion that the reason for many failures was the omission to work to a plan. "If you work with a plan the plan will work with you. Stop drifting at all costs." He said that the balancing of selfesteem with humility was one of the essentials of personality. The formulation of a plan of existenee which included this essential would result only in a more pleasing, and powerful 1 personality, but in a more efficient man. He advised his hearers to work always to the end that they obtained peace of mind. Such could be obtained only by the knowledge that one had done his best to the limit of his ability. Only in that way could one become free to concentrate on the tasks in hand, and eoncentration was one of the prime reguirements of modern life. ~~ A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Wylie for his address was passed at the conelusion.