June 5, 2007

Don't Let People Like This Get To You

In This Issue:

Feature Article: "Don't Let People Like This Get To You"

Food For Thought: "Does Happiness Bring Health?"

Fast Facts: "Why It's IMPOSSIBLE To Create More Water"

* FEATURE ARTICLE *

“Don't Let People Like This Get To You”

We've talked about dealing with critics and cynics (see the last two newsletter issues)... but what about skeptics?

You know the type: they need proof about everything.

I know... I'm one of them!

(Well, not all the time, and not really about everything, but if I was to generalize about myself, then yes, I'd call myself a skeptic.)

Actually, skeptics are usually much less troublesome than critics or cynics.

Strictly speaking, someone who is skeptical simply wants to see the "evidence" before they acknowledge the truth about something.

It's not that they necessarily doubt your motives... or that they don't *want* to believe... it's that they have an inability to believe unless they "see it for themselves."

Nevertheless, skeptics can be a pain in the neck when they demand proof about *everything*... when they refuse to have just a little faith... and, even worse, when what they require as "proof" is just plain impossible to produce.

This is often most irksome when it comes to life's big issues - e.g. philosophy, religion - as well as life's little issues, like whether or not to start a business selling fish milkshakes (trust me, it's NOT going to work).

So here are my tips for dealing with an annoying skeptic:

1. Prove your argument. If you really want to convince a skeptic, show them the evidence! Just make sure it's evidence that works for them (not just for you).

2. If they are skeptical about something that can't really be proven - or at least, not in a way that makes sense to *them* (scientific or otherwise)... don't try to convince them! Chances are you won't be able to. They just see the world differently to you. In a way, they speak a different language. And unless you can speak to them in *their* language, you probably won't be able to communicate with them, let alone convince them of your view.

3. If they are getting on your nerves with their need for "proof" about every single thing... just be straight with them. Tell them that there is NO "proof" or that it's a waste of your time to produce the proof, and that they just need a little faith. If that doesn't console them, then YOU need to decide
whether it is, or is not, worth your effort trying to produce the proof. If not, then... let it be. They can't be convinced, so don't try to convince them.

4. The "worst" skeptic is one who is closed-minded - someone who not only demands proof when it's impossible to produce, but also won't acknowledge that there are forces in the world that are beyond most (or all) people's understanding (i.e. THEIR understanding).

Sometimes a rational argument can work here:

-- Ask the skeptic whether they can agree that humans are, as a species, limited in terms of our awareness and understanding. Most "rational" people will agree with this. (No one knows everything, right?)

-- Then ask them whether it's conceivable that some people may know or have a "sense" about things that others do not possess. Again, this is only logical - some people are physically stronger, some have higher IQs, some are more apt at personal relationships, etc... and surely some people have had experiences and possess insights that others do not.

-- If the skeptic agrees with this, then ask them whether it's also possible that there are some "truths" in the world that are not readily apparent, or cannot be "proven", because of human limitations (i.e. the skeptic's limitations!).

-- And on that basis, isn't it also possible that what you're saying is actually true, even though the skeptic can't "see it"?

Depending on the issue being discussed, and how ardent the skeptic, this line of reasoning may or may not work.

I recommend it though. As a self-confessed skeptic, I'm also only too aware that I am limited, so I tend to acknowledge this kind of argument. It may not convince the skeptic that you ARE right... but it may help them see that you MAY be right.

5. If nothing works - if you can't reason with the skeptic and they are becoming impossible to deal with - then you really have no choice but to let it and let them go.

Focus your time and energy on people who do have an open mind and with whom you can have a fruitful relationship.

Back To Top

* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

“Stop Feeding Your Family Junk!”

If you had a choice between grabbing fat-laden fast food yet again or serving your family a balanced, home-cooked meal, which would you pick?

What if I told you that you can prepare that home-cooked meal and save time and money over the so called "Fast Food" option? Menu Planning allows you to do just that. It ensures that you have the ingredients you need in the house to whip up a delicious and nutritious dinner in less time than it takes you to find a coupon for your favorite pizza joint -- again.

But who has time to sit down to find recipes, make a menu plan and the grocery list to go along with it? The "Menu Mom" Does!

She’s done all the hard work for you, compiling recipes and creating printable shopping lists. All you have to do is click print and you’re set to feed your family for an entire week.

Don’t spend precious time stuck in the kitchen, missing out on family time, or worse, wasting your money on fast-food.

Let the Menu Mom handle everything for you:

==> Click Here For Menu Planning Central

* FOOD FOR THOUGHT *

“Does Happiness Bring Health?”

Does happiness bring good health... or does good health bring happiness?

When I think about the healthiest people I know... and the happiest... I end up thinking about the same people.

What is the cause and what is the effect? Do you tend to look after yourself when you feel happier about life... or do you become happier when you are physically fit and well?

The longest living community on Earth - the people of Okinawa (where there are more people over 100 years old than anywhere else) - are both healthy and happy.

They eat low-calorie, high nutrient foods, keep both physically and mentally active, continue to work, and live in a close-knit community.

Scientists who have studied the Okinawans attribute their longevity to their low calorie diets and active lifestyle.

However, even among the Okinawans, there are differences. Those who live longest tend to be happier - those who are optimistic, resilient and cope well with stress.

So, regardless of what is the cause and what is the effect, it seems that both good health and happiness are essential - both to reinforce each other, and for helping one to live a longer life.

(Source: "Catalyst", ABC Television Australia)

Back To Top

* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

“Why I Drive a Mercedes and You Don't”

"Why I Drive a Mercedes and You Don't" is the tagline use by a couple of entrepreneurs - Steve Mitchell and Rosanna Lee Ryan - to promote their Million Dollar Roadmap membership program.

I've mentioned the program before and now the program is really starting to ramp up.

They are even planning to run a competition where you can win a one-week, all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles where the Million Dollar Roadmap team will fully evaluate and advise you on your business.

And here's the best part.

There's still time to join (and be in the running for the trip).

And what's more, the program is in beta, so it's CHEAP to join... (less than a cup of coffee a WEEK).

And that's despite the fact that you get everything from ongoing course material to two live workshops as part of the program.

Rosanna and Steve are even giving away 20+ short business videos to help your business, simply for taking a look over the main registration page.

Take a look:

==> Million Dollar Roadmap

Oh, and Rosanna and Steve are certainly not amateurs. Last year they personally topped $1.7 million in pre-tax PROFIT (not "sales") from their consulting. They have given large corporate seminars across the world on topics such as permission based marketing, and online marketing strategies and techniques.

So here's the deal. All you need to do is visit their site, read the preliminary stuff and if you "think" you might be interested you can request more detailed information.

Even if you simply visit their site, grab the videos and read what they have to say, you've done yourself a favor:

==> Million Dollar Roadmap

* FAST FACTS *

“Why It's IMPOSSIBLE To Create More Water”

Water - or more accurately, H2O - is a finite resource.

Sure, it varies in terms of its "state" - gas (water vapor), liquid (what we generally call "water") and solid (ice) - but the total amount of water on Earth ALWAYS stays the same.

The process by which water changes state is known as the "hydrologic cycle".

In simple terms, water rises from the surface of the ocean, evaporates into the atmosphere, forms clouds, drops onto land in the form of rain, travels through rivers, lakes, wetlands and underground, and then returns to the ocean.

When parts of the planet experience drought or excessive rain, it's not that the total amount of water on Earth has decreased or increased... it's that the amount of water in liquid state has, in that particular region, decreased or increased... while water in other states, and in other regions, has increased or decreased.

Back To Top