To Be Interesting, Be Interested!

Hi Everyone! 

Thanks for checking out my first blog! I decided to start writing so that I can offer others a competitive edge over their competition and help push you to think out of the box. I'd like to share with you an article that I wrote that was posted on the "Houston New Comer Guide Magazine" Website. I do not claim to know everything or even close to it, but in the words of Zig Ziglar "You can have everything in life you want, if your just willing to help enough other people get what they want". I hope you enjoy!

To Be Interesting, Be Interested

By: Nick Childs

Connect with Others

When I was nineteen years old I read a book that changed my way of thinking and, subsequently, changed my life. The book was titled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. I was fascinated by the way Carnegie explained how we all have the power to be in control of our thoughts, body language, and the way people see us. He went on to explain that in order to be liked, all we have to do is be sincerely interested in someone else's passions.

Seven years later, I can speak from experience that connecting with people and making long lasting positive impressions on others has become one of the leading factors to my success. From my experience selling Hondas to selling new homes in Cinco Ranch, I’ve made long lasting relationships with my clients just because of a few simple words.
If you are wanting to start a business or take your existing business to the next level, grow as an individual; overcome your fears of networking with others or even make an unforgettable impression on a first date. Take the next five minutes and discover how being interested makes you very interesting.

Think Out of the Box

Houston, Texas is one of the most diverse ethnic melting pots in the world. If your goal is to be successful in Houston, especially in sales or where your income is a direct correlation to working with people, you will need to be fluent in at least two languages; well, that’s what most people will tell you. But why not think out of the box? Why not speak a little of several languages? The other day I stopped to get gas and decided to walk into the corner store with one goal in mind . . . to get my almond M&M fix! As usual, the bell rang as I swung the door open. I found my precious M&M’s and eagerly walked to the checkout line. I smiled at the cashier and asked how his day was going. I noticed he may have been of a Middle Eastern descent so I said, “Aapka Naam Kya Hai?” (“What is your name?” in Hindi). His face lit up and he immediately became interested in me, and asked where I was from. “Louisiana,” I said. He looked a bit confused . . . and understandably so. After all, how many people in Louisiana speak Hindi? Then I said “Meraa Naam Nicholas”. He laughed with delight and told me his name in return. We talked for a bit and I told him how I learned a little Hindi just from asking clerks like himself. He handed me my receipt and shook my hand, and I said, “Shukriyaa” (“Thank you”) before leaving. The feeling of making someone’s day a little brighter can be a very humbling experience and is very rewarding!

Take Action

Do the same with Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, whatever suits your fancy. Get on Google and listen to how basic words are pronounced. Start with memorizing how to say thank you in those languages. Then move on to how to meet and greet. It won’t take as much time as you think, especially if you practice with family and friends for fun. I have increased my closing percentages, helped close my teams deals, received referrals and made lasting friendships all through connecting with people on a personal level and taking sincere interest in who they are and where they’ve come from. I assure you, you will do the same if you begin to break the ice with someone else’s language instead of your own.

Several Quotes by Dale Carnegie

• “There is no sweeter sound to any person’s ear than the sound of their own name…”
• “To be interesting, be interested.”
• “Talk to someone about themselves and they'll listen for hours.”
• “If you want to keep happiness , you have to share it !”
• “Arouse in the other person an eager want. He who can do this has the whole world with him. He who cannot walks a lonely way.”
• “You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people than in two years of trying to get people interested in you.”

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps! Don't hesitate to shoot me a message or question I will be sure to respond same day!

Best Regards,

Nick Childs

Realtor