"Hi Tom" "Good morning" "Hello"

There is a second way to break silence and that is with a comment. This works well with strangers.

On a plane: "This has been a long delay." To a clerk: "Looks busy today." To a friend: "That was a good football game last night."

Now that silence is broken, it is time to get conversation flowing with second step.

2. Ask a good question

Almost any question will work. In fact any question is better than dead silence. However, a good question will get conversation moving. Here are a few examples:

"How are you doing today?" "How was your week?" "Where are you from?" "How often do you fly?" "What do you enjoy about this class?"

You might be thinking, "What if conversation does not start after I ask a question?" This will sometimes happen. When it does, just remember car illustration. Turn key over again and ask another question. The conversion will eventually start.

That's it! Break silence and ask a good question. Do this and you will be able to start a conversation as easily as you start a car.

--Arlen Busenitz is author of "Conversation Magic: 7 Keys to Unlock your Ability to Conquer Shyness, Make Friends, and Confidently Talk with Anyone." Free tips and articles here: http://www.conversation-tips.com/sc

Arlen is an avid reader and is a gifted communicator. His desire is to help others improve their life and experience success.

IF I SAY I WANT SOMETHING, AND I DON'T HAVE IT, THEN WHAT DO I WANT MORE?

This may be most valuable thing I've ever learned. Because I believe I create my own reality, then reality I have is what I've created. And, although I may not like what I've created, I need to take full responsibility for it. So, if I don't like it and I say I want something else, and I continue working towards that goal and it still doesn't materialize, then it's time to stop and ask this question: 'What do I want more?' Our unconscious goals, desires and beliefs are much more powerful than our conscious ones. And because they're 'unconscious', we are not even aware they are there. They just control what we manifest, leaving us feeling unsatisfied, frustrated and disappointed.

The most striking example of this I can give is fact that for much of my adult life, I was not in a serious relationship, although I said I wanted one. When I stopped and asked 'What do I want more' question, I got a very surprising answer: Space! I had a 'thing' about my own space. I'd always had a lot of space, all filled with my stuff. For some reason, I had equated being in a live-in relationship as meaning I would lose my space. It's been almost ten years since I asked this particular question and I am now married to a wonderful, sensitive person. It was scary in beginning, but once I was able to put two choices side by side (something you can't do when one is unconscious!), I was able to make a true choice. Sometimes, when we gravitate to same room as we often do, I have to smile as I recall my fears when he first moved in. Today, I can not relate to space issue at all and have difficulty understanding why it was more important to me than being in a loving, committed relationship. I am SO glad I asked that question!