| The famous psychologist, Dr. George Crane, said, | | | | person, in his abilities, character, personality, and |
| "Appreciative words are the most powerful force for | | | | appearance? Observe him alertly. Draw him out, |
| good will on earth." | | | | about his work, his family, his home, and his pastimes. |
| Psychologists want you to know that sincere | | | | Don't overlook a person's lesser attributes. A |
| compliments-appreciation, which is a form of | | | | successful executive may be bored by the constant |
| love-mean as much to people as food, work, and the | | | | praise he receives for his business astuteness. Yet he |
| other essentials of normal, happy living. So here is | | | | may glow with pride when someone lauds his |
| one of your most important opportunities for gaining | | | | adeptness in amateur photography, or his debonair |
| the good will that is necessary for a successful | | | | appearance. |
| career, marriage, and for friendships, as well as the | | | | You don't always have to find a direct compliment to |
| satisfaction that comes from being helpful. | | | | give a person. When you say a good word to |
| Do you have a rich, well-chosen treasury of | | | | someone about his family, home, or hobby, you are |
| complimentary words to draw on? For the success | | | | indirectly complimenting him. Of course, the easiest |
| of your compliments is limited by your vocabulary. If | | | | way to show your admiration of a person is by |
| the only verbal bouquets that you can give are "nice" | | | | asking his opinion. You might ask his opinion on |
| and "terrific," you are not doing an effective job of | | | | something connected with his work (but not free |
| building good will for yourself, or satisfaction for | | | | advice), his hobby, the news, movies, books, etc. |
| others. | | | | THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS IN |
| Everyone hungers for special recognition. That is why | | | | CONVERSATION |
| a written note is more appreciated than a printed | | | | If you have studied these first three chapters |
| greeting card. So instead of offering stereotyped | | | | faithfully, you will soon notice a marked improvement |
| compliments that sound like ten-cent greeting cards, | | | | in your ability to get along with people, to win friends |
| bestow some of the specific and highly valued | | | | and good will. I mentioned earlier that the famous |
| adjectives that you will find in the next three | | | | psychologist, Dr. George Crane, declared, |
| chapters. They will show that you are appreciative, | | | | "Appreciative words are the most powerful force for |
| that you have been moved to choose the special | | | | good will on earth." Now you possess a vocabulary of |
| word for the particular person. | | | | some of the most powerful words of appreciation in |
| Psychologists and ministers tell us of the power of | | | | the English language. |
| positive words for winning friends and success. So is | | | | But you will notice that you have improved not only |
| it not logical that a vocabulary of expressive words | | | | your human relations vocabulary, but also your |
| of appreciation is of prime importance. Our language | | | | personality. Your philosophy of life has become more |
| has many more words for describing bad traits than | | | | constructive. This is because you are absorbing, and |
| for describing good ones. So the best words of | | | | we hope, using the power of positive words. From |
| praise are actually verbal gems. Here is your chance | | | | now on, make a special effort to add such words to |
| to own many of these "success words" and in the | | | | your vocabulary. |
| words of an old popular song, "Accentuate the | | | | You can use this great power of positive words in |
| Positive." | | | | other ways, besides paying compliments. Use it to |
| THE SECRET OF FINDING SOMETHING TO | | | | keep your conversation cheerful. Avoid talking about |
| COMPLIMENT IN PEOPLE | | | | unsuccessful deals, sickness, and accidents. Talk |
| Will Rogers, America's beloved, homespun sage, said, | | | | about the constructive, optimistic, positive side of life. |
| "I never met a man I didn't like." What Rogers | | | | Just what is this power of positive words in |
| meant, of course, was that he found some admirable | | | | conversation? It is simply that people instinctively |
| quality in every man he met. | | | | seek the pleasant, avoid the unpleasant. They have |
| We can find something to compliment in everyone if | | | | enough troubles of their own. When they talk to you, |
| we adopt Will Rogers' sympathetic, positive attitude | | | | they are looking for a "lift." That is why the cheerful, |
| toward people. So develop the habit of looking for | | | | appreciative person is more popular and more |
| good points, not bad ones. You will find what you are | | | | successful than the one who is always trying to sell |
| looking for. | | | | us sadness and pessimism-the two things that we |
| You will develop your complimenting ability faster if | | | | are never in the market for! This applies to both |
| you try to appreciate and commend everyone, | | | | business and social conversation. |
| regardless of whether they can "do you any good." | | | | Whenever you speak, remember that you are |
| The fact is that every compliment you give does | | | | painting a picture of yourself. Be sure the title isn't |
| you some good, even if it only helps you to develop | | | | "Hard Luck" "Pessimism," or "Illness." Would you want |
| an attitude and a skill. | | | | a picture like that in your office or home? |
| Ask yourself; what is commendable in the other | | | | |