We’ve all seen them, at supermarkets, cafes, in bowling alleys, at bars, at ballgames. They catch our eye, and although they aren’t good looking, and certainly, not beautiful, by magazine cover or movie standards, they are arresting. They stop us in our tracks. Who are these people, and what can we learn from them? These are people who think a lot of themselves. They’re self-confident. They’re winners. They walk erect, speak crisply, and are intimately aware of their surroundings and their impacts on other people. They’re not pretty or handsome, but they’re magnetic, and probably, most people would say they’re sexy. They have inner beauty, and the interesting thing about it is that it doesn’t stay, inner, for long. It is actually good news that we aren’t born with it. It’s self-made. If you have none of it, you can get some; and if you have some, you can get more. How do you develop it, and how will you know when you’ve done it? There are several ways. One of them is to become a martial artist. Martial artists are self-made people. No one was ever born with the skills that they cultivate. What do they know that others don’t know? Five crucial things: (1) They know how to appear larger than they are, physically. Bruce Lee was not tall, nor is Jet Li, nor is Chuck Norris. In person, you’d be amazed at how short they are—but hold it—are they? Not really. They’re bigger than some hulks because they have learned how to project themselves into a bigger space. We pay attention to bigger things, and they know how to catch our eye. (2) They know if they’re attacked, they’ll respond well. Most people live in stark fear of personal injury, but not martial artists. They know exactly what to do, even in novel situations. What a comfort! No wonder they seem relaxed in strange neighborhoods and new countries. (3) They know how to affect people with their spirits. The best martial artists consider it a huge setback if they have to defeat an adversary with their bodies. (4) They know that there is great power in politeness and subtlety. No one becomes a true martial artist without being forged in the fire of humility. (5) They realize that character is more important than popularity. Getting to know themselves, their abilities, creating their own reality—these things make them stand apart. The next time you see someone who seems unusually comfortable with himself, it’s probably not because he’s a business tycoon or a famous actor. It could be just a very special person who is showing the irrepressible inner beauty of a martial artist. Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service. A frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide, Gary’s programs are offered by UCLA Extension and by numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt, in Chinese Kenpo Karate. Gary is headquartered in Glendale, California, and can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com. http://www.Customersatisfaction.com
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