Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “A man is generally about as happy as he makes up his mind to be.”  Easier said than done, right?  Today I ran 4 miles for the first time in a year.  The slowest, most glorious 4 miles of my life!  It made me realize how much joy we can get in the smallest things.  I was so happy the entire time because I now know what it feels like to not be able to run at all.  It made me think about all the times I thought if I just had (fill in the blank) I would be happier.  The truth is I have about a million little things in my life that should, and do, me happy.

And then, on the way to work, I heard this song.  Was it coincidence or divine Providence?  I’ll let you decide. They played this song in Cornerstone a few years ago when Paul preached a sermon on attitude.   So many people aren’t happy, and yet happiness is something that is completely within our control.  These lyrics always punch me in the gut when I hear them:

If you want to be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you want to be somebody else

Change your mind

I’m constantly fighting battles with myself, and sometimes I do want to be somebody else.  I love this song, and it’s definitely in my top 5 of all time.  And for those who are keeping score, yes, there are approximately 80 songs in my top five.

 

Change Your Mind

Sister Hazel

 

Hey, hey

Did you ever think there might be another way

To just feel better, just feel better about today

Oh, no, if you never wanna have to turn and go away

You might feel better, might feel better if you stay

Yeah, yeah

I bet you haven’t heard a word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Hey, hey

Have you ever danced in the rain or thanked the sun

Just for shining, just for shining o’er the sea?

Oh no, you take it all in the world’s a show

And yeah, you look much better

Look much better when you glow

Yeah, yeah

I hope you’ve heard every word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Ooh, ooh, yeah

Ooh, ooh, yeah

Hey, hey, what ya say

We both go and seize the day

‘Cause what’s your hurry

What’s your hurry anyway

Yeah, yeah

I hope you’ve heard every word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of losing battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Change your mind, change your mind

Due to long hours at the new job, sinus infections, and an overall lack of sleep, I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks.  Lousy excuse, I know.  So thanks to Walter for holding me accountable.

Whether you want to believe it or not, we are all sales people.  Almost everyday we are trying to sell somebody something.  Ever asked a girl out?  You are selling.  Ever interviewed for a job?  You are selling.  Ever tried to convince your friends to go to certain restaurant when you are all getting together for dinner?  You are selling.  Ever simply wanted somebody to understand your way of thinking?  You are selling. Despite the negative connotation of sales and sales people, I don’t think there is anything wrong with trying to convince someone of something you are passionate about.  After all, have you ever talked to a non-believer about your faith and invited them to come to church with you?  Guess what?  You were selling.  Even though you might hate the word “sales,” you have to do it in your everyday life, so you might as well be good at it.

I saw this video last week, and it really struck me as a great way to improve your skills of persuasion.  Simon Sinek talks at the TED conference about what makes great leaders inspire action.  He says, very astutely, that people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.

I think we can apply this principle in our everyday lives to get better results.

Selling From the Inside Out.

The “why” is why we do things or believe certain things.  The “what” is what we do. In most of our inter-personal interactions, we focus on the what.  You can see it in the workplace.  Ever had a manager tell you to do something “because I’m the boss” or “because that’s our policy?”  That isn’t telling me why.  Talk to me like that, and I’m more likely to defy you than follow you.  Instead, try it from the inside out:  “Here’s why we are doing this, and that’s why I want you to take these steps to get there.”  Okay, now I’m listening.

Simon uses the example of Apple (love them or hate them, that company knows how to sell) to illustrate his point.

If Apple focused on the “what” their ads would sound like this:  “We make great computers.  They’re beautiful designed, simply to use, and user friendly.  Want to buy one?”  Eh, maybe not.  Yet, that’s how most of us communicate interpersonally.  But here is how they sell from the inside out starting with their passion or their “why.” “Everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo.  We believe in thinking differently.  They way we challenge the status quo is by making our products beautifully designed, simple to use, and user friendly.  We just happen to make great computers.  Want to buy one?”

I’m not suggesting that we think this deeply when trying to convince our friends about going to a specific restaurant, but there will be a time when you will want to persuade somebody to do something.   They probably won’t buy what you do, but they probably will buy why you do it.  People are drawn to passion.  If they see it in you, they will want it for themselves.

Can you articulate why you are passionate about some things?  If so, now you might be able to get others to share your passion.

 

On this topic, more to follow . . .