Category Archives: WWI

Responding Versus Reacting, Part Three

Now that we’ve explored the difference between “Responding and Reacting” and how it applies in real-life situations, let’s look at how mastering the trait of, what I call, “Response Consciousness” can result in a significantly more joyful and less stressful life. Short-term, you’ll find yourself much more comfortable and relaxed knowing that you can handle…

Responding Versus Reacting, Part Two

In Part One we saw the difference between two related – but very different – terms, “Responding” and “Reacting.” Let’s take a quick look at how they played out for me personally in one particular instance. There was plenty of room to pull safely into the parking space. Being too hurried and not paying attention as…

Responding Versus Reacting, Part One

Though the words, “Respond” and “React” are similar, the difference is quite significant. I still recall, more than 20 years ago, on one of his audio programs, Zig Ziglar asking, “Did you respond well to the medication your doctor prescribed, or did you have a bad reaction?” The Sages asked, “Who is mighty?” and answered, “He…

Honor Other’s Egos – Persuade More Effectively

Ego is one’s sense of self and must be honored throughout the persuasion process. It will come into play. As one who has studied the persuasion process and seen it done best both by the learned and the intuitive, I genuinely believe that about 95 percent of the time, the difference between moving a person…

Why The “Out” Gets You In

One of the most effective ways to persuade someone to take a certain action is to communicate very clearly to them the fact that…they don’t have to take that action. Counter-intuitive? Yes. And, very productive. What I’m suggesting is that you give them an “out.” An out, or “backdoor”, is a way of letting a…

“Practice in The Silence”

In his 1918 work, The Power of Concentration (re-published in ebook form by Mike Litman), the author, Theron Dumont wrote, “It is necessary to be silent before you can speak wisely.” True enough, as stated. But then he goes on to write something I believe to be particularly profound. According to Dumont, “The person who…

It Only Takes A Thoughtful Acknowledgment

Last Thursday afternoon in St. Louis, Dixie Gillaspie and I having been seated for lunch, the waiter made his initial approach to our table with a bit of an…attitude. He was coldly polite and acted as if he’d rather not be there at all. In fact, he literally looked “pained” to even be there. And, indeed,…

Taking Responsibility, Part Four (Understanding ‘Them’)

Over the first three parts, we’ve focused on our responsibility for ensuring that what we intend to communicate is understood by the other person. Yesterday, we discussed Heather’s excellent point that – still – when it comes right down to it, people will interpret according to their own belief systems. Most of the time, this…

Taking Responsibility, Part Three

In Part Two, we saw that one aspect of taking responsibility for effective communication was the realization that most people – in not focusing on understanding what you or I meant to say – will simply interpret our words based on their own belief systems. And, that despite this, it’s still up to us to…

Taking Responsibility, Part Two

In Part One we saw that it’s important to take responsibility for things like making sure that the coffee you are pouring actually makes it into your cup as opposed to on your hand. And, we began to look at how the same holds true with conversation. I’m thinking back to an online chatroom discussion…