Spotlight: Dale Carnegie's summarized recipe for success

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Dale Carnegie was born in 1888 in Missouri, and was schooled at Warrensburg State Teachers College. As a salesman and aspiring actor, he visited New York and began instructing communications classes to adults at the local YMCA. In 1912, the world-famous Dale Carnegie Course was created. He authored numerous best-sellers, including, How To Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Over 50 million copies of Mr. Carnegie’s books have been printed and published in 38 languages.

I am a huge devotee of Dale Carnegie. Though he remained only a name to me until relatively recently, (I was browsing the self-improvement section at a Barnes and Nobles during my lunch hour a few weeks back) His style, thought, and intelligence were an epiphany to me. Though the man died many decades ago, his teachings continue to live on in seminars, his books, and educational institutions. Mr. Dale Carnegie offers astounding insight into life’s everyday problems, and there is something in him for everyone. The rest is up to the reader. Read, apply, and enjoy the fruits of wisdom. I have compiled a brief summary of most of his major lessons.

Principles from How to Win Friends and Influence People

Win People to Your Way of Thinking
The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
Show respect for the other person’s opinion. Never say, “you’re wrong.”
If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Begin in a friendly way.
Get the other person saying, “yes, yes” immediately.
Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
Appeal to the nobler motives.
Dramatize your ideas.
Throw down a challenge.
Be a Leader

Basic Techniques in Analyzing Worry
Get all the facts. Weigh all the facts – then come to a decision. Once a decision is reached, act! Write out and answer the following questions:
a. What is the problem?
b. What are the causes of the problem?
c. What are the possible solutions?
d. What is the best possible solution?
e.Cooperate with the inevitable. Decide just how much anxiety a thing may be worth and refuse to give it more. Don’t worry about the past.

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
Let the other person save face.
Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.”
Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Become a Friendlier Person
Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
Give honest, sincere appreciation.
Arouse in the other person an eager want.
Become genuinely interested in other people.
Smile. Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
Talk in terms of the other person’s interests. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.

Fundamental Principles for Overcoming Worry
Live in “day-tight compartments.” (Translation: Drop the crystal ball and live for today)
How to face trouble:
a. Ask yourself, “What is the worst that can possibly happen?”
b. Prepare to accept the worst.
c. Try to improve on the worst. Remind yourself of the exorbitant price you can pay for worry in terms of your health.

Cultivate a Mental Attitude that will Bring You Peace and Happiness
Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope. Never try to get even with your enemies.
Expect ingratitude. Count your blessings – not your troubles. Do not imitate others. Try to profit from your losses. Create happiness for others.

Break the Worry Habit Before It Breaks You
Keep busy. Don’t fuss about trifles. Use the law of averages to outlaw your worries.
The Perfect Way to Conquer Worry
Pray.
Apply these four good working habits:
a. Clear your desk of all papers except those relating to the immediate problem at hand.
b. Do things in the order of their importance.
c. When you face a problem, solve it then and there if you have the facts necessary to make a decision.
d. Learn to organize, deputize and supervise.
e.Don’t Worry about Criticism
f.Remember that unjust criticism is often a disguised compliment.
g.Do the very best you can. Analyze your own mistakes and criticize yourself.

Put enthusiasm into your work.
Don’t worry about insomnia.
Prevent Fatigue and Worry and Keep Your Energy and Spirits High.
Rest before you get tired. Learn to relax at your work.
Protect your health and appearance by relaxing at home.

Please view the entire video to gain powerful retrospect on your life, and the world around you. This is a 5 star video, and I spent several days finding it. After discarding dozens of YouTube videos this is the only one that stood out as phenomenal.Some of the best things in life are truly free!

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