chapter 8; part 3

continued from chapter 8: part 2

Hal was aware of the need to stand out from the crowd and his nature was probably like most of the people reading this book. It wasn't in him to deliberately break rules and he was the sort who either waited his turn in line or walked away to find more immediate things to do. He wasn't shy, though, and his personal style was to circle through a room and introduce himself to everyone. He was a casual person and preferred people to use his first name, but his doctors were decidedly uncomfortable with a first- name basis and he never managed to break down this barrier.
His amiable nature earned him respect on the frequent admissions to the general hospital next door.

Now it's your turn. If you're not too sure about how to get your share of attention try returning to successful tricks from your school days. If you weren't the smartest kid in the class, you didn't make the first string on the rugby team and you were not chosen class valedictorian, how come anyone knew your name? What did you do then? Chances are you compensated with your off-the-wall sense of humor, or your striking manner of dressing, or your ability to dream up the best ideas for fund raising for sports uniforms, or your habit of being thoroughly prepared so that people could count on you. Perhaps you were simply a good listener, and I'll bet you knew the names of most of the people in your school. Now, having re-lived the better part of your school days, take the best of these survival techniques and apply them to this new learning experience and make it work. You can go to the head of the class on your second go- around.

Your personality has changed while you've been working at the business of staying alive and making every minute count. By now you might be feeling pretty good about yourself and more confident with this new life style you're developing. You know what kind of person you want to be for the rest of your life, and, think about it, what have you got to lose?

An important way to develop a stand-out personality and be comfortable doing it is by practicing. Chat up the nurses, help pass the tea from the volunteer cart, and if it's your style, try addressing the doctor by his first name; either you will get results or at the least you'll have made some kind of contact. You'll know your practice is paying off when you greet patients you remember from other clinic visits and they show pleasure at being noticed. You can be sure they'll remember you the next time. Feels good, doesn't it, and that's what this is all about, feeling good. You're shaping another positive power you've always had but it's been dormant until now. Your name and face are emerging from the anonymous crowd. You are finding it easier to greet strangers and exchange information. You are taking control and you know that these strangers are your friends and they wish you well.

continued in chapter 8: part 4