Vulnerability

I just watched this TED video on Vulnerability by Brene Brown, a social science researcher story-teller. It was fascinating. It is the story of her research as a social worker into human connection and the impact that her findings had on her own life. I cannot do the video justice so you should watch it. However, I can tell you the potential benefits of watching the video will be:

• An understanding of what drives us as humans
• A possible new meaning or purpose for your life
• An appreciation of what you need to do to improve your sense of deep personal and human connection with others.
• An appreciation of what is needed for you to feel fulfilled and worthy

What I find relieving is how simple life really can be. All it seems to take to feel like a good person all the time is to be a good person, all the time. Easier said than done.

Electronic memory has moved

All electronic memory updates will now be located on this page, so they don't clog up the blog with info that most of you don't want to know.

The blog will then hopefully revert back to useful, intriguing, thought provoking ramblings.

Persuasion Tip #6: All you need to Know

I just recently finished reading Dale Carnegie's book "How to win friends and influence people". I know, the titel is terrible. I almost felt ashamed and embarassed reading it, and the title alone may be one of the reasons I have never read this book (and my pride). However, it is a terrific book!

I read the updated version, because the poriginal was written way back in about 1920. Apparently the new version has been updated with more current examples but not current or wordly enough in my mind (There are an awful lot of Rockefeller, Lincoln, and other american presidents examples).

However, I nearly read the book cover to cover! It is full of interesting little stories that demonstrate each of the principles in a simple, commonsense way. Some of these principles go against some of my basic beliefs, but I can see why and how they may have affected my relations in the past and I reckon Carnegie is very right in what he has said and myself very wrong (refer principle 3 in how to win people to your way of thinking).

The principles are as follows - I hope with some deep inflection they help you be a better person.


How to handle people


1. Don’t criticise, condemn or complain

2. Give honest and sincere appreciation

3. Arouse in the other person an eager want



How to make people like you

1. Become genuinely interested in other people

2. Smile

3. Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

5. Talk in terms of the other persons interests.

6. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely



How to win people to your way of thinking

1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

2. Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say “You’re wrong.”

3. If your wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.

4. Begin in a friendly way

5. Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.

6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.

7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.

8. Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.

9. Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.

10. Appeal to the nobler motives.

11. Dramatize your ideas.

12. Throw down a challenge.



How to be a leader

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation

2. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly

3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person

4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders

5. Let the other person save face

6. Praise the slightest improvement and every improvement. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.”

7. Give the person a fine reputation to live up to.

8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.

9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.