5 simple yet effective persuasion tactics to build your power to influence and persuade.

Having good persuasion skills has become a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. A large part of your success depends on the cooperation of other people. Influencing them to your way of thinking is now a very essential step in the fulfilment of your goals.

 

Here are 5 simple yet effective persuasion tactics you may use everyday to build loyal and lasting relationships through the power of persuasion and influence.

 

Tactic # 1: You Must Enter Their World.

 
Copy them. Observe how they act, how they speak, and how they think. If they rub their forehead while they think, act like them. If they speak at a clear and slow pace, try to do the same thing. This is called mirroring. In due time, the people you’re mirroring will subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. It’s as if they see themselves in you. However, you must proceed with caution. Do not let them be aware that you are copying them. They might interpret it as mockery and you’ll just get into trouble.

 

Tactic # 2: Meet Their Existing Needs and Desires.

 

People are self-centred. They are initially concerned with their own well-being before others. If you can prove that your proposal will provide more advantageous benefits to them than to your own, then they will probably accept it. If you could focus more on their interests, desires, needs, and expectations, then you would satisfy their cravings for attention. Moreover, it would show that you really care about them. Mutual trust and respect would be established. Satisfy the “What’s In It For Me?” test first, before convincing others to do what you want them to do.

 

Tactic # 3: Provide Them with Compelling Evidence.
 

Explain to them how your ideas or suggestions could be the most effective techniques to implement. Show them undeniable proof that you have the best product by way of testimonials, before and after scenarios, and detailed comparisons against your competitors. Just make sure that all your claims are true and verifiable. Always maintain a good reputation. Be friendly and nice. Smile to brighten up the day. Make a sincere compliment to raise their spirits. Little things like these count a lot. Make them feel that whenever they need help or just someone to look up to, you’ll always be there to lend a hand. They would tend to be more receptive to people that they trust.

 

Tactic # 4: Communicate Wittingly But Clearly.

 
Most people, if not all, would like to be accepted and to be perceived as likeable in the eyes of others. But what if you have to tell something undesirable to your friend, which is just for his or her own good? How can you get your message across without hurting their feelings? Substitute negative statements with positive ones. Instead of saying “You don’t understand,” say “Let me explain.” Instead of remarking “You’re wrong,” say “Permit me to clarify.” Instead of stating “You failed to say,” just mention “Perhaps this was not stated.” There are certain words that affect a person more negatively in comparison with other words that have the same meaning.

 

Tactic # 5: Agree with Them First…

 
Nothing could be more pleasing to the ear than hearing someone else say that you are right. In this case, be prepared to let other people know that you respect their opinions. You may add your comments at the end, but acknowledge them first. Say: You’re right, although … Great suggestion, however … I agree with your opinion, however … I would feel the same way if I were you, although … I understand your situation, however … Reassure your counterparts that the decision made will benefit both parties. People need to feel that they have made the right choice.

By Michael Lee
Author of How to Be an Expert Persuader

 

There is a simple, but very effective system that you can use when you find yourself ready to explode or implode.

 

 

The most powerful question that you can ever ask when you are feeling angry, frustrated or miserable is, “Is it true?” We trigger many painful feelings and emotions with our thoughts or self-talk. We think that we would have felt much better if a person (friend, family or stranger) did not say or do something that caused what we are currently experiencing. Some of us become depressed and slam shut like a clam while we feel sorry for ourselves. Some of us erupt like a volcano and spew our fury over the landscape around us. We sometimes look back after one of our ego driven expressions and can often not believe how we over reacted. There are also some of us that don’t get guilt attacks or experience remorse. We justify our often lunatic behaviour and avoid investigating the aftermath of our behaviour like the plague. There is a simple, but very effective system that you can use when you find yourself ready to explode or implode. Stop for a moment and ask yourself if what you are about to respond to is “true”. Wars have been triggered and millions died because of the misinterpretation of a current set of circumstances. What I am saying is that millions died (weapons of mass destruction) because of a responds based on weak or tarnished data. It is vital to pause for a moment or as long as you can before you take action. Make it your business to establish without any shadow of doubt that whatever is currently motivating you to say or do something is based on the “truth”. We look at life through our set of perceptions that we formed while still in our formative years. Most of us never updated our perceptions software and continue to base our decisions and choices on old and often false and outdated information. It is not what is happening to us that cause the real damage. It is always how we interpret what we heard or experienced that decides how we are going to “manage” what we are confronted with. We must expect negative outcomes if we base our responds on invalid or warped data. Always gather information and establish if your own interpretation or the interpretation of what you currently view as the enemy is based on valid and true information. A big percentage of conflicts and disputes can be settled long before they get out of hand if we honestly answer the question. “Is it really true?”

 

Rene

 

A simple, yet extremely effective solutions on how to de-clutter our environment and mind in ways that will bring about a greater sense of balance, freedom and fulfilment into our lives.

 

This Guest Post, written by Paul Foreman, presents us with very simple, yet extremely effective solutions on how to de-clutter our environment and mind in ways that will bring about a greater sense of balance, freedom and fulfilment into our lives. You can free a tremendous weight off your shoulders and mind, not to mention your floorboards, simply by having a big clear out of unwanted stuff. Once you start de-cluttering it is very contagious. The benefits begin to drive you on and are felt immediately.

Introduction

You can free a tremendous weight off your shoulders and mind, not to mention your floorboards, simply by having a big clear out of unwanted stuff. Once you start de-cluttering it is very contagious. The benefits begin to drive you on and are felt immediately.

It can take courage and honesty to truly see what you really need and what you have simply been holding on to without much thought. Broken items, out of date items, spare (“I might need it one day’s”) Do you really need them? Probably not. If you question your needs vs. wants you will soon start releasing on items that are simply cluttering your environment unnecessarily. You can free up space quickly by shifting unwanted items.

You may well encounter inner resistance and become defensive about hanging onto your attachments. You may be asking; “Why de-clutter?” Let’s look at some of the reasons and suggestions for how it will improve your life.

A clear mind is a problem free mind. Free space – free mind. Often a cluttered environment makes for a cluttered mind.

Relaxation is much easier in a clean, neat, tidy, uncluttered space. Contemplate where you feel most relaxed – most at ease and consider why. Often it is a clear, open and airy environment with minimal distractions; somewhere you can really unwind.

Relaxation and a calm mind allow for fresh, vibrant and new thoughts and ideas.

Initially, motivation to start de-cluttering can be a problem, yet it is easy to combat – you just start! One small step is all it takes to start the ball rolling – even if you only remove one item!

It is very tempting to collect things – on a small scale that is ok – yet do you really need to collect all 500 issues of a certain magazine or book? Nothing wrong with having interests and hobbies; unless they are taking over and becoming an obsession! Do you overspend or buy on impulse? Do you find you can’t resist a sale? Remember that 40% discount on something you were not going to buy is hardly a saving!

So, de-cluttering actually saves you money too.

 

There are many ways you can start de-cluttering. You can donate to charity or give unwanted stuff to other worthwhile causes; you can sell it or auction it, give it as presents (ask first!) it’s not really fair to off-load things to people who don’t really want them or perhaps are de-cluttering too! Start small and work up – you will see how freeing it is to clear clutter for yourself, once you break the barrier of not wanting to let go or the can’t be bothered bug. It also feels good to know that you are helping others.

Have an honest look around your home or work space. How many shelves are bowing? How many cupboards jammed full? How many bags and boxes and tins and “stash places” have you got? Is the garage crammed? The attic stuffed? The shed bulging? Under the bed space full? Garden full of bits and bobs – mostly sundry and rusting?

It’s a common habit and not something to feel ashamed of. You can choose to take action however.

Be careful not to burn yourself out by taking on too much in one go. Start with one area and see what a difference it makes to tidy it into a pleasant, clean, clutter free, dust free space; even if it is just one corner of a room, or one cupboard.

Freeing space helps maintain a cleaner living environment; healthy, tidy and easier to maintain, De-cluttering can have an instant impact on your health; less dust and more space to breath. When your house is tidy you can find things again and know where they are when you need them. Being organized lessens unnecessary stress and allows you to feel calm rather than rushing around or getting flustered trying to locate something you have mislaid.

Hoarding is a common problem and it exists everywhere, not just in the home.

A wonderful question to ask yourself is “What am I keeping this for?” Investigate why and ask yourself “Can I live without it?” Do you really need six hammers and three lamps, fifteen scarves and twelve pairs of shoes; answered truthfully – of course you don’t.

Having identified “stuff” you can let go of, the next question is what to do with it! You may be able to re-use some of your items, although be careful not to start making convenient excuses to keep things; ultimately clearing out is the better option. You could swap, auction or sell, or donate, or leave them to a family member or friend. If you are undecided or struggling to let go of a particular item, leave it for now and move on to other things; you can always look again once you have cleared out other stuff that you know you can let go of. It is important to do this or the ball could stop rolling.

Starting small and working up, you will make a difference. When you can say to yourself “Be ruthless!” you are really getting there. If you haven’t used something in the last year – do you really need it? Reduce it to six months if you can. Recycle items that others could use and remember worthy causes and charities could be crying out to use something you haven’t used in years or are unlikely to ever use again.

Most of what we hoard is useless or worthless pieces of “stuff” that clog our cupboards or drawers. You know the ones; shoes you haven’t worn in years, clothing, little bags of paperclips and elastic bands and other silly things collecting dust or taking up space. Trophies for “Runner-up at such-and-such” ten years ago – you may enjoy reminiscing, yet is it really necessary to keep them? Videos you have watched many times or won’t watch again, and records and tapes you can’t play anymore because you only have a CD player now! Pots, pans, cups and plates – boxes with stuff in them, boxes without stuff in them, boxes with boxes in them – the list is endless!

SOURCE

 

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The reason why democracy always turns into a complete failure is simple.

 

The reason why democracy always turns into a complete failure is simple: most people get to vote, and most people are idiots. People want a leader that represents what they believe about themselves, which is why the president is now nothing more than a blank figurehead for people to project themselves onto. They aren’t interested in policies, except as a way to signal their beliefs, and they don’t care if the leaders that represent them are actually concerned about obeying the highest law of the land or acting in the long-term best interest of the country.

People think that representation means electing a figurehead that symbolizes their interests.* A string of broken campaign promises does nothing to dissuade people from their belief that their representatives actually accomplish things on their behalf. And even these failures are ignored because what’s really important is that one’s preferred politician is nothing more than a status symbol. Thus, democracy devolves to simple status-mongering.

Funnily, though, people always complain about how politicians never do anything useful once they’re elected. What they seem to forget is that a politician’s main purpose is to act as a symbol during an election, and give people a way to sort themselves into their own classes. Once that’s accomplished, a politician is no longer needed, save as a figurehead for a movement or class. And so, democracy does not exist to enable people to solve problems through citizen-based referendums, it exists to allow people to show solidarity with their self-selected class. And this is why it fails, time and again: it focuses on symbolism over substance

 

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The table below shows the most recent World Democracy Audit scores and rankings achieved by this country. Lower scores are preferable.

 

South africa: World Democracy Profile

 

Topics	Range	Ranking
World Democracy Audit overall ranking	1-150	43
Political Rights	1-7	2
Civil Liberties	1-7	2
Press Freedom	0-150	41
Corruption	0-149	47