Talk to Strangers: How Everyday, Random Encounters Can Expand Your Business, Career, Income, and Life by David Topus Read Free Book Online Page A

even more essential: a positive, can-do attitude. After all, here you are presenting yourself to the world at large, engaging complete strangers in meaningful conversation, asking them to trust you enough to sometimes share personal information, and essentially breaking through the walls most people put around them in public places. So nothing is more important than your state of mind and belief system about the world around you and your place in it. Our beliefs drive our behavior; when you truly believe something is possible—and that you can make it happen—you are far more likely to prove yourself right. As such, the following four beliefs are all you need to have the confidence for turning random encounters into potentially life-changing relationships.
     
    You may already accept some of these tenets to one degree or another, whereas some others may take a small leap of faith. But when you believe them in your bones, and live them fully, you will find opportunities opening up to you in ways you never knew were possible.
     
    1. The World Is a Friendly Place
     
    Even in today’s world where governments jockey for dominance and wars are being fought on many continents, there is a commonality among human beings that makes random connecting possible. Wherever you travel—across nations, cultures, societies, races, creeds, and colors—you will find that everyone has a common set of desires: to be acknowledged, understood, respected, and appreciated. Almost everyone around the globe appreciates a hot meal, a good night’s sleep, the innocence of a child, a funny joke, or a good story. And right below the surface, just about everyone has a smile, a chuckle, a willingness to meet you halfway, and a desire to help a fellow human being. That’s because many of us face similar challenges, struggle with similar issues, and desire similar things. You smile, and other people smile. You shrug; they shrug. You just can’t get away from it.
     
    To be a successful random connector, you must trust first and foremost—from the moment you leave your house each day—that the world is a friendly place. After all, if you don’t believe that the world is friendly, you won’t reach out to strangers and will instead be withdrawn and isolated. But by assuming people are fundamentally friendly, your attitude will operate in a way that gives you the confidence to approach others and allow you to discover all that’s possible from your new random encounter.
     
    There is a commonality of experience that just about everyone can relate to. It’s the thread of humanity that connects us as human beings. Everywhere I’ve ever been around the world, across cultures, ages, races, and income levels, I have found that almost everyone:
     
     
 
Likes ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.
     
     
Thinks kids are cute (and are proud of their own).
     
     
Wants a good night’s sleep.
     
     
Will laugh at a good joke.
     
     
Loves a good story (especially when the underdog comes out on top).
     
     
Hates waiting in line and appreciates good customer service.
     
     
Enjoys a warm meal.
     
     
Seeks to be loved, acknowledged, understood, and appreciated.
     
     
Wants more from life.
     
     
Is looking for human connection.
     
     
    These are among the common threads of human existence that give us connecting points with other people and turn strangers into associates, colleagues, partners, and friends. It’s how we penetrate the veil of isolation that threatens to limit our lives, and open up a world of opportunity. It’s how we get a smile, a running start on a great conversation, and potential that exceeds our wildest imagination.
     
    2. Everyone Can Be Met
     
    What you believe is possible has everything to do with what you make happen. There are some who believe that strangers are meant to stay that way, that people aren’t really available, don’t want to be bothered, and are shut down, shut off, and inaccessible. And since our