Page:The Art of Helping People Out of Trouble (1924).pdf/185

 Almost immediately thereafter Norton was obliged to make up his mind about whether he should return to the university for a year of postgraduate study, or whether he should enter the field of advertising where an opportunity had been opened to him. Again, he turned to the social worker, and again she helped him by the indirect method of questioning instead of by telling him what to do. She paralleled advantages and disadvantages for him, but having done this she once more placed the decision upon his shoulders.

The man with whom Norton was now making his home perceived the young man's problem and supplemented the work of developing his spirit of self-reliance. The following comment was typical of the way in which this friend threw Norton back upon his own resources.

"The engine is stalled and I think I'll ask her to crank it," Norton had said by way of explaining that he was discouraged and was going to the social worker for inspiration.

"Wouldn't she prefer having you use a self-starter?" was the man's reply.

Norton had not thought of this. He decided to be his own inspiration. The process was repeated again and again, for once a person has contracted