Zig Ziglar

The Young Persuader by Zig Ziglar

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A few days after my second daughter was born, I had to take a trip over to South Carolina from our Knoxville, Tennessee, home. On the way back, a sudden snow storm left me and a few hundred other motorists stranded for the night. Fortunately, I was stranded directly behind a nice, warm Greyhound bus. The driver was kind enough to permit me to climb aboard and spend the night. The next morning the highways were cleared and I drove on home.

I had no sooner pulled into the driveway and gotten inside my house than my wife said we needed more baby supplies. I slipped my heavy coat back on and was headed for the door when my soon-to-be four-year-old daughter, Suzan, said, “Daddy, take me with you.” I explained to her that the weather was bad, I would only be gone a few minutes, and it would be best for her to stay home. As only a four-year-old can, she said, “But, Daddy, I will be so lonely.” I said, “Now, Doll, your mother is here and so is your new baby sister, and Lizzie (who was our live-in nanny) is here.” Then she looked at me and said, “But, Daddy, I’ll be lonely for you.” I don’t need to tell you that she went with me to the store that day.

In retrospect, that is persuasion at its absolute best – straight from the heart, without guile and without any subterfuge. In a direct, simple way she had made me feel important – I was the one she was going to be lonely for. I believe that if we will play it straight, speak from the heart, and be open and direct with people in a loving way, we will improve our communication skills dramatically and our persuasiveness will go up. Think about it. Speak from the heart, and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator. He is best known for his inspirational messages of hope through his 28 books and numerous audio and video recordings. To be inspired visit his website at www.ziglar.com.

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