#20 Compliment Others, Be Positive To Others, Be Supportive Of Others
May 18, 2008
One of the greatest book I have ever read in my life is How to Win Friends and Influence People by that master of people interaction, Dale Carnegie. This book has been my bible for almost 20 years and I make a point of reading it again every year, at least once. I am sure this sounds a little crazy, but let me explain.
This book was written over 70 years ago, in 1936. It shows you, in very simple terms, how to get the best out of people. The concepts Carnegie raises are as relevant now as they were then. His underlying theme focuses on the power of being genuinely positive and encouraging of the people we deal with on a daily basis.
The book shows the importance of being supportive of others, of listening and being interested in people. The most amazing and truly wonderful aspect of this is that the more you support others, the more you listen, the more interested and encouraging of other people you are, the more these same characteristics flow back to you in your daily life. While that should never be your reason for offering support and encouragement, it is a beautiful reward.
Something as simple as offering a compliment to the person serving you in the grocery store on the way to work can change their entire outlook for the day, and yours as well. The best time to be like this is when you are feeling the most out of control or out of balance. Take your focus off yourself and put it onto others.
Have you ever noticed how, when you are in your own world and someone compliments you, perhaps saying how nice your shirt is, for instance, you are forced to take a step back and stop for a moment to take the compliment in? It certainly makes you feel warm inside, doesn’t it?
I try to be positive and complimentary to every single person I meet. Sometimes that is pretty hard, in fact it can be downright impossible at times, because some people are just too angry to even register a compliment. But in return, my life is filled with people being incredibly supportive, loving and nurturing to me, especially when I need it the most.
What can I do today?
Next time you are feeling really stressed out start dishing out the compliments. Make them sincere, because there is nothing worse than shallow, insincere compliments-they don’t fool anyone. And if you haven’t already got a copy, go out today and buy Dale Carnegie’s classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
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By N2H
