Pessimism

Listen to these examples of inventions and ideas that some people said “couldn’t be done” so they resisted the new.

1.) The first successful cast iron plow, invented in the United States in 1797, was rejected by New Jersey farmers under the theory that cast iron poisoned the land and stimulated the growth of weeds.

2.) An eloquent authority in the United States declared that the introduction of the railroad would require the building of many asylums for the insane, since people would be driven mad with terror at the sight of locomotives rushing across the country.

3.) In Germany, it was proved by “experts” that if trains went at the frightful speed of 15 miles per hour, blood would spurt from the traveler’s noses and passengers would suffocate when going through the tunnels.

4.) Commodore Vanderbilt dismissed Westinghouse and his new air brakes for trains, stating, “I have no time to waste on fools.”

5.) Those who loaned Robert Fulton money for his steamboat project stipulated that their names be withheld for fear of ridicule were it known they supported a project so foolish.

6.) In 1881, when the New York YWCA announced typing lessons for women, vigorous protests were made on the grounds that the female physical constitution would break down under the strain.

7.) Men insisted that iron ships would not float, that they would damage more easily than wooden ships when grounding, that it would be difficult to preserve the iron bottom from rust, and that iron would deflect the compass.

8.) Joshua Coppersmith was arrested in Boston for trying to sell stock in the telephone. “All well-informed people know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over the wire,” they said.

9.) The editor of the Springfield Republican refused an invitation to ride in an early automobile, claiming that it was incompatible with the dignity of his position.

I guess he would turn over in his grave if he could only see the Rolls Royce now plus the price tag that goes along with it.

Listen to the words of the experts this time:

Charles H. Duell, US Patent Office director during the year 1899 says this: “everything that can be invented has been invented.”

US president Grover Cleveland in 1905 says that sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.

H. M. Warner of Warner bros. Pictures in the year 1927 says that no one would be interested in hearing actors talk.

Lord Kelvin, president of the royal society in the year 1895 says that heavier than air flying machines are impossible.

Now listen to the Michigan banker who advised Henry Ford’s lawyer not to invest in the new motorcar company. He said, “the horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty. (Sometimes I wish this were true every time I’m caught in the middle of a heavy traffic.)

And then Gary Cooper said this: “Gone with the Wind” is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history and I’m just glad it will be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his face and not me.

There you have it! The experts have spoken. If all they say were true, then you’d still be riding on horses and carriage and not on cars, you’d still be watching Charlie Chaplain on silent movies and the airplane and trains would not have been invented; and all because of pessimists in our midst. These findings compiled by James S. Hewitt and James S. Hewett in their book Illustrations “Unlimited” surely gives us a glimpse on how disastrous pessimism could be.

A pessimist’s favorite line would be:

• “I can’t do it.”

• “We don’t have enough time.”

• “I’m sure this will fail.”

• “This will never work”

• “We’re doomed!”

• “You’ll never make it.”

This harmless looking attitude in all reality is dangerous for this very reason: that pessimism views life with no hope!” Defeat is certain failure because life without hope is never worth living.

Develop a “Can Do” attitude.

And as long as what you want to do is not a violation of God’s will, here is one good advice: “You just do your best and let God handle the rest.

(Attend “Winning Disciplines for Success” Feb. 24, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center. Learn best practices on business, creative, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual disciplines from the Industry/s best featuring Butch Jimenez, DyanCastillejo, Jeric Soriano, Paul Soriano and Francis Kong. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614 OR 09178511115)