The Truth About Persuasion
Ever since man has been able to communicate he has endeavored to persuade those around him. Persuasion began with physical coercion. The bigger and stronger you were, the more people you were able to persuade.
Soon mere strength was superseded by skill. More proficient fighters defeated hulks through nimble and deft action. But persuasion was still based on physical force, albeit a more skilled force. Those with greater physical might and expertise were able to persuade those with less of the same.
Weaponry evolved persuasion further and those with better arms (first sticks and stones, then spears and slings, then bows and arrows...), as well as those skilled with such arms, succeeded in persuading those with less.
As man rapidly developed ever-increasing communicative sophistication, sheer force was occasionally replaced (or outwitted with) first by simple trading, later, through bargaining and deal making.
Over the development of early civilization, as enlightened quid-pro-quo trade arrangements become more of the norm, the weapons of physical force were gradually replaced by the weapons of the mind and tongue. Those who had more refined thinking and speaking skills were able to more effectively persuade those with less of the same.
Throughout the evolution of civilization, power has taken on many forms and exists in different ways all over the world today. Plain old power, manifesting in forms such as physical, political and social power, held by governments, leaders, positions, parents and school yard bullies continues to persuade, and always will. But the power of thoughts and words has become equally commanding, often succeeding traditional power, and the influence it carries, in our lives.
The study of the power of words, and the manner in which those words are spoken, to influence our fellow man has continued to emerge as an area of acute interest to those who recognize its might, as well as their selfish potential for gain, through the mastery of the tools of verbal persuasion.
We do not know if those who attempt to sell us one their ideas, products, services, ideals, or beliefs are genuine in their cause, or if they are tricksters. It may not matter (for the sake of the purpose of this work) because the opposing party views the passionate political leader of one party as a swindler. The champion, top-producing salesperson of a company, revered by both management and his peers, may be exposed as a defrauding con artist by an investigative,
consumer advocate reporter. Often, success with the power of verbal persuasion is a relative term. It depends entirely whether you are on the giving or receiving end.
Nonetheless, the pure trickster—the out-and-out con artist, the dishonest cheater, is always found out. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later, but the trickster who intentionally swindles and misleads others is ALWAYS discovered. ALWAYS.
And the trickster never lasts. No matter what tools of influence he (or she) uses, they get found out. People catch on to their games and their ways. So they must change games, and jobs, and cons, and move to different towns, because they sell what they cannot deliver. And it's such a waste! If they would only speak the truth, what awesome results they could achieve through their persuasive skill!
Ralph Waldo Emerson so eloquently summed it all up when he said, "Who you are shouts so loudly in my ears that I cannot hear what you are saying." Who you are is so much more important than what you are trying to accomplish. And who you are always shines through. Regardless of how you attempt to persuade others it is your inner motive that carries the most weight. If you do not believe in what you are selling, or if you believe it is not in the best interest of those you are trying to influence, you will not achieve long-lasting success.
If your intentions are from the heart, genuine and pure, Covert Hypnosis, along with the many other tools and techniques of persuasion will serve you well, in the short and long terms.
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