Stories

You've got to know your story. Learn to tell it. - Michael Berry

Mr. Berry's point is that you need to be able to sell yourself. You can't do that unless you have a good story and can tell it. What got you where you are? How have you changed? What makes you great? Practice by telling stories.

For The Want Of A Nail

A little neglect may breed great mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by an enemy, all for want of a little care about a horse-shoe nail. - Benjamin Franklin


Details neglected can have ramifications.

Tireless Minorities

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds. - Samuel Adams


The vocal minority will always be a factor, no matter which side you are on.

Size Doesn't Matter

The size of your audience doesn't matter. What's important is that your audience is listening. - Randy Pausch


All things considered.

Weak Cause

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Victor Hugo


And don't you forget it....ever!

Persuasion

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others. - Blaise Pascal


Present your case not to persuade, but to allow coming to your conclusion.

How to Persuade

If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect. - Benjamin Franklin


Very few people can be persuaded by a rational argument.

A is A

Even in the valley of the shadow of death, two and two do not make six. - Tolstoy


Beware of those who will try to convince you anyway.

That's My Story.......

We have a whole religion based on a woman who really stuck to her story. - Greg Giraldo: On Catholicism


Just goes to show what persistence and persuasiveness can accomplish!

Selling a Good Idea

In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative original thinker unless you can also sell what you create. Management cannot be expected to recognize a good idea unless it is presented to them by a good salesman. - David M. Ogilvy


Seldom do these qualities exist within the same person. That is why you should choose your people to compliment you, not mirror you.


(Other posts on Persuasion)

Bad Alternatives

Having two bathrooms ruined the capacity to co-operate. - Margaret Mead 


Create a situation where the alternative to good behavior is undesirable and people will choose the good.


(Other posts on Persuasion) 

Narrative is Linear

Narrative is linear, but action has breadth and depth as well as height and is solid. - Thomas Carlyle 

You are always more believable if you put your money where your mouth is.

(Other posts on Persuasion) 

Sermons of All Kinds

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible. - George Burns 

And Power Point presentations.

(Other posts on Words) 

Changing Shape

A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape. - Mark Twain 


We are all products of our past and to change is difficult. Those most resistant to change - but not directly opposed - are the most stable people. Beware of those who change with the slightest provocation.


(Other post on Change) 

Beginning of Delusion

Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion. - Jim Rohn 


In other words, know whereof you speak. 


(Other posts on Persuasion)  

Abandoned Skepticism

Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily. - George Santayana 


Voters; news media; investors looking for a quick buck; advocates of the latest doom and gloom scam are prime examples of people who throw out their skepticism when faced with a charming personality.


(Other posts on Persuasion) 

Coping

All living souls welcome whatever they are ready to cope with; all else they ignore, or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong, or deny to be possible. - George Santayana 


So when trying to convince someone prepare them to be able to cope with your idea.


(Other posts on Persuasion) 

Absense of Bugs

Program testing can be a very effective way to show the presence of bugs, but is hopelessly inadequate for showing their absence. - Edsger W. Dijkstra  


It is generally impossible to prove a negative - like proving that God does not exist.


(Other posts on Truth) 

It Can't Be Done!

Back of ninety-nine out of one-hundred assertions that a thing cannot be done is nothing but the unwillingness to do it. - William Feather  


The secret to getting things changed is to get people to think it was their idea.


(Other posts on Change) 

Illustrative Anecdotes

The power of illustrative anecdotes often lies not in how well they present reality, but in how well they reflect the core beliefs of their audience. - David P. Mikkelson 


Depending on the audience, it may be more the hopes and dreams.


(Other posts on Persuasion)