🛂 How to Win Friends and Influence People
Let's face it. You are going to have to deal with people for the rest of your life. Some of the people that you choose to deal with are actually cool, and we call these people friends. These friends make life enjoyable, and they can be to your aid in your deepest trials.
The book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is nothing short of a spectacular read. That being said, I can truly only recommend this for a specific crowd. If you don't have friends, don't have to interact with people, or (and better yet) have no faith in humanity because none of this even matters, then this book isn't for you.
But if you are a brother, sister, boss, employee, wife, husband, or literally any human being that is breathing, you would get more than you think from this book. Not only does it go into how to make and deepen friendships but also how to mitigate conflict and influence others.
Here are my takeaways…
📣 Value
#1️⃣ Put Others First
This sounds very cliché, but let me give you some insight. If you were to ask yourself who is the most important person in your life, what would you say? Maybe your mom, dad, or spouse? Wrong. It is you. You are the most important person in your life. SAME GOES FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
Given that previous statement, ask yourself this question: Well, if I'm meeting someone new, who/what do you think that person wants to talk about? IT IS THEM. They want to talk about themselves because we all want to talk about ourselves—our interests, hobbies, likes/dislikes, so on and so forth.
Being a good listener and encouraging others to talk about themselves is the key that will naturally make people like you and gravitate towards you. When you are genuinely interested in getting to know the other person, you become the most interesting person. This might entail talking in terms of the other person's interests and making them feel important, and doing so sincerely.
#2️⃣ Remember People's Names
“We should always be aware of the magic contained in a name and realize that this single item is wholly and completely owned by that person who you are dealing with… and nobody else” (Carnegie).
It's so simple but so impactful. Personally, I am not the best at remembering names, but that is because I have never put emphasis on it. It makes sense why when people would call me by my name at work, it would automatically catch my attention. But understanding now that a person's name is the sweetest and single most important sound in any language reaffirms that it shouldn't be swept under the rug. Your name is you, so remember others.
📝Side Note
Your network is your net-worth. If you hang around a bunch of people that party and drink all the time, theres a good chance that if you don’t already you will. In the same breath, if you find your self in a circle of people making far more money than you, chances are you will start to make more too. The bible talks about how Iron sharpens iron. If you want to get in shape, make more money, etc, positioning your self around people (making FRIENDS) is a great way to achieve what ever your desired outcomes are. Choose your friends wisely.
🎅🏽 See you Next time
This week's issue is short and sweet, but the sheer depth of this book is unimaginable. I plan on reading this many more times to pick up other things that could be of value, but as for today, that is it, folks.
If you found value in this, please let me know by giving a thumbs up below. Be sure to drop any recommendations of books below in the comments, and I'll be sure to get to them soon! Thank you for spending your time with me today, and I will to be in your inbox soon.
Take Care and Be Blessed ♱
- Ethan
great work!
very well spoken, fantastic and insightful read. great job!