It Worked for J. P. Morgan

Written by: suzanne rodriguez 999 views

A story is told about the powerful early 20th-century American industrialist, J. P. Morgan (1837-1913):

One day in the early 1900s a stranger approached J. P. Morgan as he walked down a street in New York City. Holding up an envelope, the man said: “Sir, in my hand I hold a guaranteed formula for success, which I will gladly sell you for $25,000.”

“Sir,” Morgan replied, “I do not know what is in that envelope. However, if you show me, and I like what I see, I give you my word as a gentleman that I will pay what you ask.”

The man thought about it, agreed to Morgan’s terms, and handed over the envelope. Without pause, Morgan opened the envelope, pulled out a single sheet of paper, unfolded it, and gave it a quick glance. He thereupon handed the paper and envelope back to the stranger.

And then he reached a hand into his overcoat, pulled out his checkbook, and wrote a check for $25,000. The Paper read:

  1. Every morning, write a list of the things that need to be done that day.
  2. Do them.

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© Suzanne Rodriguez
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2 Responses So Far... Leave a Reply:

  1. Jagjit says:
    March 11, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Hello Suzanne,

    Do you have the source for this story?

    Thanks,
    Jagjit.

  2. suzanne rodriguez says:
    March 13, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Hi, Jagjit:

    That story about J. P. Morgan is an old chestnut — frequently told over decades, appearing in books, and now all over the Internet. I first came across it on Tom Peters’s site, but have seen it in many other places.

    Best wishes, Suzanne