By L. Ron Hubbard

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Finding excuses or reasons why a statistic is down does NOT bring it up and at best is a scathing comment on the lack of foresight or initiative of the executive in charge of the area.

What is wanted is (1) prevention of statistics going down and (2) quick action to bring them up.

Being reasonable³ about their being down should be regarded as AGREEMENT WITH THEIR BEING DOWN.

The only reason statistics are down, ever, is because somebody didn’t push them up. All other reasons are false.

IDÉE FIXE

Some people have a METHOD of handling a down statistic which is a fixed idea or cliché they use to handle all down statistic situations in their lives.

These people are so at effect they have some idea sitting there “that handles” a down statistic.

“Life is like that.”

“I always try my best.”

“People are mean.”

“It will get better.”

“It was worse last year.”

They KNOW it isn’t any use trying to do anything about anything and that it is best just to try to get by and not be noticed – a sure route to suicide.

Instead of seeking to prevent or raise a declining statistic in life, such people use some fixed idea to explain it.

This is a confession of being in apathy.

One can always make statistics go up. Hard work. Foresight. Initiative. One can always make statistics go up. That’s the truth of it, and it needs no explanations.

1. Statistic: A statistic, or stat, is a number or amount compared to an earlier number or amount of the same thing. Statistics refer to the quantity of work done or the value of it in money.

2. Down statistic: When the quantity of production decreases, this is called a down statistic.

3. Reasonableness: Faulty explanations.

—L. Ron Hubbard, from Modern Management Technology Defined
© 1974, 1976 L.Ron Hubbard Library