How to Influence People

         The ability to influence people is a vital skill in the real world. It allows you to help people to do better or encourages them to see things from your point of view. This article will help you to hone the fine art of influencing people.

Building relationships

         Be outgoing. Having a friendly, outgoing personality goes a long way when it comes to having an influence on the people around you. People respond to people who are comfortable in their own skin, and are more inclined to follow their lead.

• Smile. People are drawn to a friendly smile. It makes you seem approachable and trustworthy.
• Ask questions. Engage other people in conversations. Show an interest in them and they will become more open and responsive.
• Plan activities. Take the initiative and organize a group trip, for example, hiking or to a concert. This will earn you major cool points.

         Demonstrate interest in others. In order to make a good impression, you need to show an active interest in the person you're talking to. Being self-obsessed isn't an attractive feature.

• Ask stimulating questions about the other person's interests and opinions.
• Listen to their answers and respond in an appropriate and thoughtful manner.
• This will generate a sense of trust and create a rapport between you.

         Address people by name. People are more likely to respond when they hear their name, as the use of their name makes your message more personal to them.

• By remembering to use someone's name, you will seem like an interesting person who pays close attention to details.
• Using someone's name is also a sign of respect and is another way of demonstrating an interest in the other person, as discussed above.

You Are My Life

There was a boy in India who was sent by his parents to a boarding school. Before being sent away this boy was the brightest student in his class. He was at the top in every competition. He was a champion.

But the boy changed after leaving home and attending the boarding school. His grades started dropping. He hated being in a group. He was lonely all the time. And there were especially dark times when he felt like committing suicide. All of this because he felt worthless and that no one loved him.

His parents started worrying about the boy. But even they did not know what was wrong with him. So his dad decided to travel to the boarding school and talk with him.

They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him casual questions about his classes, teachers and sports. After some time his dad said, 'Do you know son, why I am here today?" 

The boy answered back, "to check my grades?" 

"No, no" his dad replied, "I am here to tell you that you are the most important person for me. I want to see you happy. I don't care about grades. I care about you. I care about your happiness. YOU ARE MY LIFE." 

These words caused the boy's eyes to fill with tears. He hugged his dad. They didn't say anything to each other for a long time.

Now the boy had everything he wanted. He knew there was someone on this earth who cared for him deeply. He meant the world to someone. And today this young man is in college at the top of his class and no one has ever seen him sad! 

Thanks a lot dad. YOU ARE MY LIFE.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them. Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness.

'To know all is to forgive all.'

Remember that the people you are talking to are a hundred times more interested in themselves and their wants and problems than they are in you and your problems. A person’s toothache means more to that

person than a famine in China which kills a million people. A boil on one’s neck interests one more than forty earthquakes in Africa.

'Think of that the next time you start a conversation.'

Allow yourself to be bored

Don’t be afraid of the vacant moment. You are a human being, not a “human doing” so just be and consider your boredness. You may be surprised at how it clears the mind (after getting over the initial discomfort) and provides new thoughts.

Two Days We Should Not Worry

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. 

One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares,

its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. 

Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. 

We cannot undo a single act we performed;

we cannot erase a single word we said.

Yesterday is gone forever. 

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow

with all its possible adversities, its burdens,

its large promise and its poor performance;

Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. 

Tomorrow's sun will rise, 

either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.

Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow,

for it is yet to be born. 

This leaves only one day, Today.

Any person can fight the battle of just one day.

It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down. 

It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad,

it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring. 

"Let us, therefore, Live but one day at a time."