Things to Think About

I read an article about 21 keys to magnetic likeability and here they are:

1. Be Attentive to Others and Never Stop Listening – Self-centered people are usually unlikable.
   
2. Compliment People Who Deserve It – Everybody likes to hear that their efforts are appreciated.
3. Make Yourself Available and Approachable – If people cannot get a hold of you, or have trouble approaching you, they will forget about you.
4. Speak Clearly so People Can Understand You – Most people have a very low tolerance for dealing with people they can’t understand.
   
5. Never Try to Be Someone You’re Not – Fake people are not likeable.
   
6. Address People by Their Name – People love the sight and sound of their own name, so make sure you learn to remember names.
   
7. Mirror the Person You’re Conversing With – You can mirror someone by imitating their body language, gestures, movements and facial expressions during a one on one conversation.
   
8. Always Ask to Help… and Help When Asked – Highly likeable people always spare time for others, regardless of how busy their own schedules are.
   
9. Never Get Caught Lying – Everybody stretches the truth at times, but everyone hates a liar.
   
10. Say “Please” and “Thank You” – It can mean the difference between sounding rude and sounding genuinely grateful.
11. Use Positive Language (Body and Verbal) – You can use positive language skills to exhibit yourself as a helpful, constructive person rather than a destructive, disinterested one.
12. Smile – Everyone likes the sight of a genuine smile.
    
13. Keep Unqualified Opinions to Yourself – If you don’t have all the facts, or you’re uneducated on the topic of discussion, it’s in your best interest to spend your time listening.
    
14. Provide Tangible Value – When you add tangible value, you increase your own value in the eyes of others.
15. Respect Elders, Respect Minors, Respect Everyone – Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
    
16. Make Frequent Eye Contact… but Don’t Stare – There’s little doubt that eye contact is one of the most captivating forms of personal communication.
    
17. Don’t Over-Promise… Instead, Over-Deliver – If you want people to like you, forget about making promises and simply over-deliver on everything you do.
18. Stand Up for Your Beliefs Without Promoting Them – Discuss your personal beliefs when someone asks about them, but don’t spawn offensive attacks of propaganda on unsuspecting victims.
    
19. Make a Firm Handshake – There is a considerable correlation between the characteristics of a firm handshake (strength, duration, eye contact, etc.) and a positive first impression.
20. Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face – Putting your hands on your face during a conversation tells the other person that you’re either bored, negatively judging them, or trying to hide something.
21. Dress Clean – People will always judge a book by its cover.

It's funny. There are a number of these attributes that are missing in a lot of people I know...hmmm...I'm sure you know some too. However, I know more people that possess many of these attributes and I strive to be more like them every day!