8 of 49 – Smile and Make People Wonder Why

[progressally_objectives]

I was at a networking event and someone comes up to tell me, “You look exhausted.” I didn’t overtly feel that tired, but I had been up since very early that morning.  If that person thought to tell me, I’m sure others around me noticed too.  I’m sure it influenced the way they approached and interacted with me.

People often read me as being more serious and intense than I am. Some might read me that way, feel  intimidated, and decide not to approach me.  I’m actually pretty lighthearted and optimistic. (Just ask the wife and she’ll tell you all about how she loves this in me…NOT!!) 

We come across the way we come across when we interact with others.  Sometimes we have control over it. Sometimes we don’t.  Increasing our awareness of how we come across is a good exercise for all of us.

Do this experiment and see what you find? Make a point of smiling to strangers as you walk past them. Do this in the grocery store, bank teller lines (if anyone still goes to the bank ) or any other public place. Take in people’s reactions. Many times people will wonder, “What it is you want?” or “What wrong with that person?” 

To get myself to smile some more, I have a trick. A few times a month, I’ll go and buy a single lottery ticket. It’s a $1 expense.  I keep the ticket in my wallet so I see it every time I pull it out. The thought of taking home $5 or $25 million immediate puts a smile on my face. It really does. And I don’t really expect to win.  I’ve got 6 semesters of statistics from my computer science studies.  I know my chance of winning is about zero. But just the thought of winning a massive windfall makes me smile.

If something as stupid as this works for me, what are the other things I can do to smile more and give that smile attitude vs. worrisome attitude to those around me.  And the fun part is making people wonder why.

Thought for the day:

Smile more today and see what happens.?