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"You make me sound like an idiot."
"You are an idiot because you won't do anything to help yourself. You just keep on saying ‛No',' and every ‛No', makes it harder to say ‛Yes'."
"So what am I supposed to do? Go out and be miserable?"
"No. Go out and grow up. Stop taking easy road. The next time you're asked to a party, meeting, church service or some other type of gathering, think before saying ‛No.' Ask yourself, "If I were Mr. or Ms. Glad-Hand Personality, would I enjoy this outing?" If yes...say ‛Yes', to experience.
"When you dress for occasion, dress your attitude. Decide to find out everything you can about people you meet. Doing so will help take focus off you and put it where it belongs, on others. You don't have to act like a reporter from Expose Magazine. Just be interested and listen. Really listen. People will think you're a great conversationist."
"And what happens when I get stuck with classic bore who insists on telling me his life story in infinite detail?"
"Why just smile gently and say, "Excuse me, but I notice hostess has a bra strap showing. I'm certain she'd appreciate hearing about it."
"Cute. But not exactly what I'd call an appropriate exit line."
"Fine. Then preplan your own. There's nothing in rule book that says you have to drown in someone else's verbal excess. Any excuse offered with a smile will do. Sometimes bore won't even notice you've left."
"All right. I'll try it. I'll call Johnsons and tell them I changed my mind. But I expect you to help with suggestions if I run out of things to say or ask."
"Count on me. I'll never be more than a breath away." ___________________________ ______________
Read more nagging ‛i-mails' at http://www.dougcgrant.com . And be among first to read each new chapter in continuing i-mail saga. Subscribe free to EMPOWERED MATURITY PAGE. No obligation, ever. And you can unsubscribe anytime. Join fun and give your life a self-improvement kick on a regular basis. Subscribe by clicking this e-mail link: mailto:empoweredpage@smartautoresponder.com Do it now. Don't miss next nagging i-mail from Other-Self.
Doug C. Grant retired from a successful career as a nationally recognized business writer & marketing consultant. He now helps members of the ‛Over-50', crowd live healthier, happier and more productive lives through his Empowered Maturity Web Site (http://www.dougcgrant.com) and an on-line interactive seminar.