Eureka! Its Simple!

Hey Guys

First of all, a Very Happy New Year to all of you. Lets hope this year brings about loads of happiness, peace, prosperity.....blah and blah and blah. My wishes would hardly make a difference.....all depends upon how "you" want it to be. Just be positive about things happening around, make sincere efforts in doing what you are doing, do something selflessly, and things would start falling in place.
Anyhow, hope you all are doing good in your lives. Had some ideas running a marathon across my restless mind.Time to provide these ideas the turf of this blog post to run free.....

Disclaimer: This post might be inclined a bit towards the philosophical side. Will try and make it interesting though, still if at all it starts boring you, remember the red cross button on the top of the browser is your friend, just press it and voila, its all gone :)

So there were days when i used to shy away just at the mere thought of meeting someone I've never met before.....
"How would I face someone?", "What would I talk to them about?", "How should I conduct myself in front of them?" Such questions used to haunt me at the back of mind. Though, outside I could pretend to be the usual cool dude.
They say "slow and steady wins the race". Yes it does, only if on your way to the finish line you learn from your mistakes, realize your strengths and catch hold of cues that would help you win.
Gradually, trust me, as gradually as it could be.....I realized, the factors that enable you to win over this "People Inhibitive Disorder" and become an interesting personality(This is no self bragging, just some self realization...). These might already be there in your mind and in practice too, but hey its always good to refresh those grey cells ;)
Let me take you thru this miraculous list. Please feel free to make any additions, deletions, modifications as the case may be:

1) Non-Martian: Trust me, you are going to interact with an earthling and not a Martian(Do they even exist!?). Your counterpart is just a normal person much like you. They have their personal traits, strengths, weaknesses, insecurities. They might just be good at presenting a very polished self in front of you. Remember, this polish they used to shine it all up is readily available within you as well.....in your mind. Just feel good about yourself.

2) Body Language: It matters a lot lot. At times I come across people who would walk up to me and shake hands as if I am in a fish market and the hawker just handed over a trout in my hand or as if I have just been endowed with Knighthood and the Queen just extended her hand for me to give it a peck. Right from walking down to your counterpart, to shaking hands, to standing in a posture, to the position of your hands, it all matters. Offer a stiff hand for a handshake, stand tall, never quiver like the Red Riding Hood.....be aware of your limbs. Ensure they are in your control all the while.

3) Ears are for listening: Though you can also wear and show-off pricy ornaments on these if you wish to. Jokes apart, it is an important task to ensure you register what your counterpart is trying to convey. Don't let your ears act like a tunnel, what goes in from one end comes out of the other in the same form. Make these like a food processor, carrot goes in...juice comes out.

4) Take genuine interest: Everybody desires and deserves attention. Make sure you bring down some justice to the speaker or else they'll go out in pursuit of another "interest taker". People take interest in you when they know you are interested in what they are talking about.

5) Be Informed: Its always good to try your hand on a bit of things happening around you. Its not essential to know the architecture of a jet engine to strike a conversation. Merely knowing that Rolce Royce makes these engines is more than enough.

6) Simplicity Rules: No one is expecting you to churn out tongue twisting bulldozer form words to make yourself heard. Make it effective by using much clear and simple words that the world can understand and connect with. People always welcome simple and eloquent talks rather than rattling words the size of Burj Khalifa.

7) Red Button: Always keep the red button to stop in your own hands. Its not essential to speak like a radio when you get the opportunity. Take turns to speak and insert your idea in the talk.

8) (2+2=4): Look the person straight in the eyes while talking. Let there be that invisible mode of contact between the two of you. This will always make an impact upon the listener. Shows that you do not lack confidence.

These are some of the "self-assessed" points I believe can make you come out as a person people would like to interact with. Obviously, there are no thumb rules when it comes to us humans. There can be numerous other additions to the list above.
I know this serpentine form of a post must have made your eyes and mind bleed, but I told you to be aware of this in the beginning(remember your friend, the savior red button).
I'll try and come up with something less torturing the next time.

Thats it. The fuel of this post has exhausted and time for me to park it here.

Don't forget to keep that smile on :)


Cheers!
Gagan ;)