Innumerable great successes have begun with the making of a pleasing impression on some one whose presence and notice were unknown.  You realize that your success is practically impossible if you displease.  Preparation to please is of first importance in getting ready to succeed.  Your success in the field of your especial ambition will be assured if you win your first chance there by making an initial pleasing impression and then keep right on pleasing.

Cultivate grace in your movements—­for grace is pleasing to everyone.  Carry your body naturally, especially your head; with such a bearing that total strangers will feel pleasure when they look at you. Be a person who pleases at sight. It is not difficult.  No matter what sort of face you have, if it expresses habitually your pleasure in living, it will look pleasant.  A look of pleasure is pleasing to others.  You like to see some one else enjoying himself thoroughly.  Everybody feels the same way.  Our own faces brighten when we come upon radiant happiness anywhere.

[Sidenote:  Details That Please]

Please others with your smile.  It should not be just an affected smirk, but a smile of genuine friendliness for all the world.  Please by wearing inconspicuous clothes that are faultless in taste, fit, and cleanliness; and of a quality suited to your vocation.  Show also that you take good care of what you wear, for that makes a pleasing impression. You can please in your dress without arraying yourself in expensive clothes. Indeed, an over-dressed man is more displeasing to Opportunity than is one poorly dressed.  There can be no excuse for foppishness, but a shabby neat appearance may be due to a good reason.  Please with the suggestion in your manner that you are getting along well.  Do not pretend false prosperity, of course; but indicate that you feel successful.  Any one finds it unpleasant to be in the company of a failure. If you would succeed hereafter, avoid making the impression that you have not already succeeded. “Success breeds success.”

[Sidenote:  Courtesy And Politeness]

Be courteous invariably.  Learn and observe the rules of politeness.  Please by acting the gentleman always.  Practice courtesy and politeness in your own home to perfect yourself in these pleasing characteristics.  Then you will show them everywhere.  Remember that the rest of the world is made up of “somebody else’s folks.”  Courtesy and politeness are not natural attributes.  In order to make yourself a master salesman you need to develop them to an unusually high degree.  You may intend to be courteous and polite always, but only the development of the fixed habit will fully support your intention.