New Installment- Smile

The smile is a powerful tool, it disarms them, it renders them powerless, it soothes them, it nathes them in the warm glow of your character; they will never see you coming if you’re smiling. What’s the harm, it’s easy to do and the most deceptive force in the galaxy. Smile and the world will smile along with you as you cleverly collect the cheques from them.

Nobody likes that person with the upside down smile, everyone loves a smiler. Woods and Jordan don't collect those big cheques because of their abilities- their abilities got them noticed, their personalities got them the cash, and the biggest part of their personalities is a wonderful smile.

It doesn't matter if Woods is a jerk or Jordan is a degenerate gambler because people love their smiles and they will smile while explaining to you their setbacks; they will smile while explaining their shortcomings. People love smilers, and they expecially love smilers that they admire- hence the large cheques.

If you don't believe me, think Barry Bonds- who the heck is giving him all kinds of money for the talent he possesses? Nobody! Why...because the man hates to smile, the man never smiles...the dude has got to suck it up, smile and at least pretend to be a nice guy. At that point people will be looking to make excuses for him even if he smiled and said that he is the biggest steroid abuser in history. They won't care if he is smiling. They'll gladly point out that some of the greatest abused drugs such as cocaine that contributed to their performances, etc etc.

Heck, think McEnroe and Conners- two hotheads with an easy smile. Goes to prove that you can scream at people all you want, be a jackass and then fix it with a smile.

Now for the lay person, a smile may not get you a big cheque since you may have no other talent than smiling, but it will win you friends; it will gain you influence. Smile, even when you don't want to. Smile even in your most desperate days. Smile, especially when times are tough- that smile will help you through it.

There is a but though, that smile is not to be your only weapon in the war on influence; remember that you have an entire bag of tricks that also includes the frown, the scowl, the laugh, the funny face, the raised eyebrow, etc. The smile should be your primary weapon but you need to be on the alert for when the time is right to use your other tricks- more on all that later. I just don't want you all out there with a big sheepish grin in the worst possible situations and have people think you are laughing at them- be careful with that damn smile and use it judiciously. :)