As a young person, I wanted to become a magician. So I read books on card tricks and practiced them on everyone I could.
More important than learning the mechanics, however, was learning how people think. As a magician, you need to be conscious of how people react to your actions. You might have to change your presentation to mesh with what they're thinking.
This led to my understanding a technique that has been critical to my business successes:
Learn to add a 2-3 second beat between when you think something and when you actually say it.
So many people just talk and talk. They have a point to make and want to get it out as quickly as possible.
In some cases, that approach works. But in many situations, by listening to yourself for just two to three seconds before you let your comments free, you maintain flexibility. You're able to change direction as necessary.
Not all approaches work for all people. The key to successfully persuade someone to your point of view is to tailor your approach as much as possible to that person's needs, desires, emotions, mood and energy. Pay close attention to the other person and think through the impact of your statements before you actually make them.
Just a two-second beat between thought and speech can be the difference between success and failure!
"Never forget to put your brain in gear before you put your mouth in motion." - Anonymous
Read more on how to persuade, or check out the work-in-progress book 'Street Smarts 101: Lessons Textbooks Miss.'
Click here to learn more about the book The Skinny On The Art of Persuasion.
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