Loved Into Action
by Steve Goodier
Despite his best sales pitch, a life insurance salesman was unable to get a
couple to sign up for a policy. "I certainly don't want to frighten you into a
decision," he announced, standing up to leave. "Please sleep on it tonight, and
if you wake up in the morning, let me know what you think."
People can be motivated by many different means. Fear is commonly used. So is
guilt. But many people find that other kinds of motivation are usually more
effective in getting more out of those with whom we live and work.
A twelve-year-old girl took her younger brother, who suffered from a mental
disability, Christmas shopping. As they went into a department store, the boy
accidentally bumped a display, knocking shoes in every direction. A weary and
frazzled clerk grabbed the boy by the arm and demanded, "Pick them up."
"No," the boy screamed in defiance.
"Pick them up," the clerk shouted.
"No," the boy shouted back.
His older sister began picking up shoes. The boy started to help. Before long,
the boy, his sister and the tired clerk were working together to put the shoes
back in order.
When they finished, the girl taught the clerk a profound lesson with these
words: "You have to love my brother into doing it."
If you live or work with people, you may benefit from her advice. If you want
people to respond to you, try loving them into action. Flies and people prefer
honey. When you fill people with what they want, you're likely to get what you
want out of them.
Steve Goodier
Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker, consultant and
author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for
his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at
http://LifeSupportSystem.com.