I finally got around to reading this classic  by Dale Carnegie! Theodore Roosevelt said, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”

I believe that. Because I believe that, I want to do everything I can to become better at connecting with people. I believe that anyone can learn to be charismatic. I believe anyone can learn  to win friends and influence people. I also believe we all need to develop our people skills as often and as much as we can.

For anyone who is looking to become better with connecting with people, this is hands down a must read!

Buy this Book Here: How To Win Friends and Influence People

Some Highlights:

• 15 percent of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people.

• Dr. Johnson said: “God himself, sir, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days.” Why should you and I?

• Sigmund Freud said that everything you and I do springs from two motives: the sex urge and the desire to be great.

• If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance, I’ll tell you what you are. That determines your character. That is the most significant thing about you.I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

• Emerson said: “Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.”

• “If there is any one secret of success,” said Henry Ford, “it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.”

• You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.

• Jim Farley discovered early in life that the average person is more interested in his or her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.

• Whenever Roosevelt expected a visitor, he sat up late the night before, reading up on the subject in which he knew his guest was particularly interested.

• William James said: “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”There is an old saying: “Give a dog a bad name and you may as well hang him.” But give him a good name—and see what happens!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the GOOD of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”        -Romans 8:28

Steps

Get in a Good Church – Once you’ve made the God decision, you need to get in a good church that actually teaches the Bible. Unfortunately, it’s because of the teaching of a lot of churches that we even have to make the God decision. You must know that God is good, He loves you, and He has a great plan for your life.

Surround Yourself with People that Will Give You the Truth -As I said yesterday, getting around friends and family is great, but it’s not enough. As far as surrounding yourself with people – you need to get around people who will speak the Word of God into your life, encourage you, push you through, and enable you to see that there really is a bright future ahead of you.

Take Your time Grieving, But Then Move On – it is perfectly ok to grieve and let your emotions go for a period of time. The problem is people who let it go on for years and years and never move on. In II Sam. 12:15-23 it talks about David grieving over His son while he was ill, but once his son passed away, he went back to normal life,there was nothing more he could do. I’m not saying you forget about the person or won’t miss them, I’m simply saying that you don’t let the emotions take control of you any longer than necessary.  Have people help you through this process…

Be Thankful for the Time You Did Have with Them - So many times we focus on all the things we won’t get to do with that person. “They won’t be at my wedding, see my kids, etc.” while this is true, we never focus on the time we did have with them, most likely because we took it for granted. When you become thankful for all the good times you had with them and all the time you got to spend with them, it really helps you though the process.

Tomorrow I want to talk about the impact the loss of a loved one should have on you….

Thoughts?

What an incredible day… I’m literally blown away and I stand in awe of what God is doing in the world through the body of Christ. I literally can’t put into words what God is stirring up in my heart…

Here are my highlights from the talks:

Session 1: Andy Stanley

• Uncertain times are the arena where great leaders are born
• You don’t learn anything in good times or in times of certainty
• It’s ok to be uncertain, it’s not ok to be unclear
• To be clear in uncertain times, go back to the vision that God put in your heart
• The clearer you are on what God’s called you to do, the less uncertainty will matter
• Would you do what God is calling you to do even if nobody came with you?
• We need to be more concerned about the people we haven’t met, then the ones we have
• Leadership isn’t about making decisions alone, it’s about owning the decisions once they’re made

Session 2: Guy Kawasaki

• You’ll never appeal to everyone, when you try to, you create mediocrity
• Making people happy or unhappy is a lot better than making them indifferent
• If people won’t get your message in 15 minutes, they probably never will
• Ignore the bozos…

Session 3: Catherine Rohr

***Catherine runs an amazing ministry…. you need to check it out!

• Are you known for the worst thing you’ve ever done? Neither should other people… (Grace)
• A lot of times we need to look at people as human beings instead of animals
• We need to do life with people and help them achieve their “proudest moments” in life

Session 4: Jud Wilhite

• Until you settle the identity issue – you’ll never be or have enough
• There is no “There” so learn to enjoy the journey
• Surrender your view of you for God’s view of you
• We should talk to ourselves more than listen to ourselves
• When you believe something other than what God says about you, you’re calling God a liar

Session 5: Ravi Zacharias

*I need to listen to this talk again… Ravi is amazing and he said so many amazing things…

• What you applaud you encourage, be careful what you celebrate
• People can’t argue love

Session 6: Brian Houston

• Be a church planter and builder, not a church critique
• WE are the Church… the Church is so much bigger than one person
• If we don’t believe in what the church is supposed to be, how will the world?
• When you’re a part of the house of God -> you ALWAYS Flourish!

Session 7: Nick Vuljicic

• “It’d be dishonoring to God to live my life and not believe that I could change the world
• God uses people based on availability, not ability
• FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real
• 2 Questions Jesus will ask us: 1.) Do you know me? 2.) Who did you bring?
• FAITH = Full Assurance In The Heart
• You’re a miracle to someone when you give them Jesus
• Satan wants to take your joy from you… period
• Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not there
• Trust is a daily choice

Overall a great day… really looking forward to tomorrow…