It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career.They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office.I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of business education.But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom.It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary.I was one of those sweepers myself.
Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is“aim high”. I would not give a fig for the young man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important firm.Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive.Say to yourself，“My place is at the top.”Be king in your dreams.
And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret：concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.
-occupy [ˈɔkjupaɪ]v.占用，占领；使忙碌，使从事
典型例句
They occupy the house next door.
他们住在隔壁。
最常用法
occupy oneself in doing sth./with sth.
忙着做某事物，忙于某事物
联想记忆
occupied adj.在使用中的，已占用的
busy adj.忙碌的
-threshold [ˈθreʃhəuld]n.门槛，门口；入门
典型例句
He was on the threshold of his career.
他的事业刚刚起步。
最常用法
be on the threshold of sth.在某事的入口
联想记忆
doorway n.门口
gateway n.门口
-sweep [swiːp]v.扫，拂（去）；掠过
典型例句
Have you swept in here?
这里你打扫过了吗？
最常用法
sweep sth.from/off sth.把某物从某物上扫除开去
sweep sth. away 把某物扫除
联想记忆
sweeper n.清扫者，清洁工
clean adj.干净的
-janitor [ˈdʒænɪtə（r）]n.看门人，管理员
典型例句
That janitor is a snail who never gets things done.
那个照管房屋的人动作慢吞吞的，什么事也做不成。
联想记忆
janitress n.女门警
caretaker n.看门人
-salutary [ˈsæljutrɪ]adj.有益健康的
典型例句
The letter had a very salutar effect.
这封信好似一剂苦口良药。
最常用法
salutary experience/lesson 有益的经验/教训
联想记忆
health n.健康
healthful adj.有益健康的
-obtain [əbˈteɪn]v.获得，得到
典型例句
He always manages to obtain what he wants.
他总是有办法得到他想要的东西。
最常用法
obtain sth.from sb.从某人那里得到某物
obtain sth. through sth.通过某事得到某事物
联想记忆
gain v.得到
earn v.挣得
lose v.失去
-prime [praɪm]adj.首要的，最好的
典型例句
It is a matter of prime importance.
此事至为重要。
最常用法
prime cost 主要成本
联想记忆
primary adj.首要的，主要的
-exclusively [ɪkˈsklu：sɪvlɪ]adv.唯一地，专门地
典型例句
This room is exclusively for women.
这房间只对女士开放。
联想记忆
exclusive adj.独有的，排他的
exclude v.把……排斥在外，不包括
include v.包括，包含
年轻人创业之初，应该从最底层干起，这是件好事。匹兹保有很多商业巨头，在他们创业之初，都肩负过“重任”：他们以扫帚相伴，以打扫办公室的方式度过了他们商业生涯中最初的时光。我注意到我们现在办公室里都有工友，于是年轻人就不幸错过了商业教育中这个有益的环节。如果碰巧哪天上午专职扫地的工友没有来，某个具有未来合伙人气质的年轻人会毫不犹豫地试着拿起扫帚。在必要时新来的员工扫扫地也无妨，这并不会有什么损失。我自己就曾经扫过地。
假如你已经被录用，并且有了一个良好的开端，我对你的建议是：要志存高远。一个年轻人，如果不把自己想象成一家大公司未来的老板或者是合伙人，那我会对他不屑一顾。不论职位有多高，你的内心都不要满足于做一个总管，领班或者总经理。要对自己说：我要迈向顶尖！要做就做你梦想中的国王！
成功的首要条件和最大秘诀就是：把你的精力、思想和资本全都集中在你正从事的事业上。一旦开始从事某种职业，就要下定决心在那一领域闯出一片天地来；做这一行的领导人物，采纳每一点改进之心，采用最优良的设备，对专业知识熟稔于心。