Magical Thinking - When the gift is just an attempt to get my business, an obvious bribe, I don't ....

Always say yourself, "When the gift is just an attempt to get my business, an obvious bribe, I don't want it".

Friendship can't be bought. And when we try; we lose in two ways:

1. We waste money.

2. We create contempt/dislike.

Take the initiative in building friendships - leaders always do.

It's easy and natural for us to tell ourselves,

"Let him make the first move." "Let them call us." "Let her speak first."

It's easy; too, virtually to ignore other people.

Yes, it's easy and natural, but it isn't right thinking toward people.

If you follow the rule of letting the other person build the foundation for friendship, you may not have many friends.

Actually; it's a mark of real leadership, to take the lead in getting to know people.

Next time you are in' a large group, observe something very significant: the most important person present is the one person most active in introducing himself.

It's always a big person who walks up to you, offers his hand, and says, "Hello, I'm Jack R."

Digest this observation for a moment, and you'll discover the reason the fellow is important is that he works at building friendships.

Think right toward people.

Develop the attitude of "I may not be very important to him, but he's important to me. That's why I've got to get to know him." to create friendship

Have you ever noticed how people freeze while waiting for elevators?

Unless they are with someone they know, most folks never say anything to the person standing beside them. One day I resolved to do a little experimenting.

I resolved to say something to the stranger who was waiting as I was. I kept track of his reaction twenty-five consecutive times. And twenty-five times I got back a positive, friendly response.

Now, talking to strangers may not be very urbane, but most people like it nevertheless. And here is the big payoff:

When you make a pleasant remark to a stranger, you make him feel one degree better. This makes you feel better and helps you relax.

Every time you say something pleasant to another person, you compensate yourself.

It’s like warming up your automobile on a cold morning.