Influence 101: If You Look At Life Like A Game, Here's How You Can Fix the Odds

I don't think there was ever a time I wanted to be a psychologist. Maybe it's the setting of being in an office. Though now it makes me think that there may be an unmet need. Walking Therapies? (I know...there's the challenge of being able to walk and talk with your therapist while still keeping whatever you said in confidence. Kind of difficult for that to happen while taking a walk in a park)

What has been the constant in my life has been discovery --- it may be all those hours playing NES, SEGA, & Playstation. I had been reminded that things happen in levels, that I wouldn't be able to appreciate one thing before the other. The example that came to mind was (finally) getting into 'The West Wing', which helped me appreciate 'Friday Night Lights', and eventually 'The Newsroom'. My next level consisted of starting with 'The Good Wife', following it up with 'Better Call Saul' (Season 1), then having Rectify (Season 4) as a finale. 

While re-reading Philip Hesketh's book (I've learned that there are two versions: 'Life's a Game So Fix the Odds' and 'How To Persuade And Influence People') these are the two concepts that I found most valuable:

1.) Start with believing you can

From remembering someone's name to becoming more likable, if you don't work in getting your focus sorted all that knowledge would be wasted. One quick way of gaining confidence is experimenting. Find out what works for you.

For the Q&A series, I constantly tweak my pitch email. Making sure it appeals to the right people. Do I get rude answers? Sometimes I do. Does it sting? Of course!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZBtASUH1e2/?tagged=failure

2.) Feelings matter instead of facts and logic

A complimentary explanation is found in this hour-long talk by Simon Sinek. It has to do with that part of our brain that is allocated to emotions, this is why when someone asks me why I am friends with a particular person, I struggle to find an answer I'm happy with. 

How to find what feelings matter to a particular person? Just listen. It does not mean you lose yourself. I remember watching an informercial that only talked about the problem. It just makes a big difference if you feel like someone understands you. The most thoughtful gift I've received is not something that just communicates 'I know you', it shows that the giver is constantly keeping in touch with you and makes note of things that they know you'll value (babysitting for a month because your parents are on holiday during that period).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXMCwucjzOl/?taken-by=simonsinek

Could this be the right book to take you to your next level? 

Photo by Mary Jean Massie