In the end, all action a person takes is because he, or she, believes that the action will cause his world to be closer to what he desires it to be.
If you want, you can ponder that for a while before continuing.
I tend to get into really deep conversations with people one on one. I’ll probe not only into whatever the main topic is we are discussing, but also into very personal matters. I do this because I care deeply about people, but it is also based on some of my beliefs and desires.
1. Everyone Has a Story to tell
At or before the age of 11 I started studying people. My goal was simple, I want to understand myself and where researching “me†is pretty hard, watching others and looking for similarities can help me understand the unique person that is me.
In doing so, I’ve learned over and over again that everyone has a story to tell. They might not believe it’s worth telling, but that does not change the fact that they do have a story.
Now the important thing – why hearing other’s story is important. It helps with developing relationships. Relationships are one of the most valued things in the world. You might have heard the saying that money makes the world go around. Well, that’s sorta true if you understand this: Money just represents that you have helped someone else. To help people you need some form of relationship.
2. There are always Lessons to be Learned
Ok, you don’t always learn something new … sometimes the lesson is a reminder that you need.
I don’t have enough time to make every mistake. I don’t have enough money to make every mistake.
It’s important to maximize the resources that you have & the lessons you learn from others are worth so much more than the cost of taking your time and energy to develop the relationship.
Now I’ve learned more from some than others, but the attitude of “this person has something to teach me†is a good one.
Even if it’s false.
Many times I do not learn directly from the other person … but
3. Teaching causes me to Learn
Many times when I help people, I walk away from the conversation with an idea that causes my future actions to change.
We are all in the business of influencing others.
Since we need to develop relationships, maybe we should do what the best do:
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
Most of my work is done in my head, but it is not until I have a text, audio, or visual based conversation that the work is finished.
Every conversation I have, every time I teach, every time I talk through or generate my ideas in another medium, I get better & my thoughts … followed by my skills … then my messages get better.
When I was starting by First Business …
Back in 2003, I had an idea. I talked to anyone and everyone that I could. It did not matter to me what they said. Some had great insight, but just the act of me having to process the ideas and present them … over & over … caused the ideas to improve.
Now a days I often find clients, customers, friends, and just people who I want to win talking with me. Sometimes it’s what they say that is great for me. Sometimes what I say is great for me. I hope they walk away with the same great value exchange, where they are better off, but I can only control what I do & improve my abilities to help people.
Why do you typically talk with people?
