That gave him the first essential: a purpose.

Then he backed up the purpose with effort and an ever-ready willingness to work, and to work at anything that came his way, no matter what it was, so long as it meant "the way out." He did not pick and choose; he took what came, and did it in the best way he knew how; and when he did not like what he was doing he still did it as well as he could while he was doing it, but always with an eye single to the purpose not to do it any longer than was strictly necessary.

He used every rung in the ladder as a rung to the one above.

He always gave more than his particular position or salary asked for.

He never worked by the clock; always by the job; and saw that it was well done regardless of the time it took to do it.