Part 1: You Have To Read This!

I recently starting re-reading How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie.  You may have already noticed, it is the number one book under Recommended Readings.  There’s a reason for that.  It is single-handedly one of the most powerful books you could read – that is, if you apply the things contained within it.

I decided to start highlighting some of the key excerpts from the chapters.  I haven’t really decided if I will continue to do this for multiple installments.  If I do this is part one, if I don’t, well, go buy the book and read it yourself.

Please enjoy some thoughts about criticism and how you should handle people…

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Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him strive to justify himself.  Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment.

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Do you know someone you would like to change and regulate and improve?  Good!  That is fine.  I am all in favor of it.  But why not begin on yourself?  From a purely selfish standpoint, that is a lot more profitable than trying to improve others – yes, and a lot less dangerous.  “Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof,” said Confucius, “when your own doorstep is unclean.”

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Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do.  But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.

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Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them.  Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do.  That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness.  “To know all is to forgive all.”

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Hope this helps you make your day great!

Happy Wednesday!

(Chad)

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