Have you ever been in a situation where you were won over to another person’s opinion…allowing them to convince you to their way of thinking? Maybe your original opinion was wrong in the first place; but if not, how were they able to change your mind; have you ever wondered?
Of course, most of us have an opinion about the things that go on around us. Have you ever found yourself in the position of having catapulted over to another person’s way of doing things; when you really wanted to do them differently in the first place? Why did you allow their will to trump your own? Was their way of doing things better…or were they just more persuasive?
It is an interesting thing to think about. Did you give more value to their opinion than your own? What convinced you that they were right, and your thoughts or opinions were less right? Often it is persistent persuasion, combined with perceived superior credibility. You know your own faults and mistakes…but, you do not know those of the other person quite as readily; giving them the advantage of a certain level of confidence, that you do not automatically give your own opinion.
If you are a person that often feels resentment because others seem to get their way; and, your way is often not the chosen path; you need to think about why that happens. Do you express yourself well? Do you listen to all of the facts respectfully and then verbalize your opinion in a fair way, with a pleasant tone of voice? Are you easily led by the firm voice of others, into doubting your own opinion? These are issues that are important to the daily bump and grind in life, business, families and organizations.
If you tend to err on the side of giving more weight to the opinions of others, you need to evaluate where that comes from. Knowing what you think and believe; and understanding why you hold those opinions, is key. If you firmly believe that you are in the right, your opinion can be backed up with facts or figures; and, you learn how to present your voice in a confident and respectful way…others will listen. Present the large and small picture, put things in perspective, use examples that re-inforce your beliefs, validate your opinion with evidence or a precedence that will apply to the situation.
Sometimes it is important to find common ground where both sides of a discussion or issue can be met. From that point on, listening is very important. Listen to the other side of the issue or discussion before stating your opinion. When you do express yourself, do it in a manner that is open to some give and take; or, compromise. People who become entrenched in getting their own way, simply for the sake of getting their own way…often don’t.
If common ground can be achieved and there are degrees to which an issue can be decided…you have a better chance of convincing others to agree to your way of thinking. If you can convince one or two other people to agree with you…often, you will start to see a shift in the direction of a group. Persuading another person or two, begins to show validity to your way of thinking. Some people may still personally hold a different opinion privately; but, what starts to happen is, that they are persuaded to hold an opinion that is influenced by the majority opinion. This is effective impact.
Often, you will see an organization or business use a celebrity or a powerful person who already has credibility in a certain area to give a testimony. This is also called social proof…that is, harnessing that person’s value as a spokesperson because their opinion has valuable impact that can influence others. If a group, business, or organization gets a famous person who shares their passionate message to endorse them…they are more likely to persade others or inspire them to their believe their message.
That is powerful, and that is why you see advertisers using the most famous powerful person that they can get on their public relations team; you even see it in politics. Think about recent developments with Sen. Barack Obama…whether you believe in his ability to lead or not…you certainly have seen the star power that has been attached to his campaign. There have been many celebrities who have given their “testimony” about their belief that he should be President…in fact, media analysts have given mention in the news to the Oprah factor regarding his campaign. Oprah’s opinions carry alot of weight with some voters…she brings alot of persuasion to the table.
Influencing a group in this way, needs to be done in a way that is ethical and honest. Forcing others to your way of thinking can backfire and cause great harm if you are malicious minded. Think of those who use gossip or rumor to negatively affect persons, or groups of people. No one wins in that situation and bad feelings are created; leaving everyone involved with a negative impression.
If you use the process of persuasion…and you are doing it in an ethical way…you will start to find that people will gravitate towards supporting your business, issue, or organization. Being persistent in stating your opinion or issue is important to getting others to support that issue. The more people who are pursuaded or convinced, the more that word of mouth spreads the opinion, it becomes viral; and, it becomes more credible to those who have not heard it, or been previously convinced.
If your goal of persuasion is to get people to take action…then effective persuasion is a must. Ken McArthur’s Impact Boot Camp Action Team has spent the weekend learning how to use their impact to get people to take action and to be effective in their collective powers of persuasion. These team members include people like Jeff Wellman who made a splash in the internet marketing world in the last year or so. They were exposed to experts in many areas of impact such as publishing, media, social networking and so on. Author Brendon Burchard, who also gives inspiring advice to businesses and non-profit organizations, was present.
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Anyone who has ever gone into the military and gone through boot camp understands that boot camp is where they learned their basic skills. Once learned, those same skills were expected to be put to use to make an impact; wherever that individual was sent to serve. That is the same principal that business man and author, Ken McArthur, of JVAlert Live fame, is going to employ with 18 individuals through his new Impact Boot Camp 
Write where you are 
Good Morning America Interview With Christina Applegate
Posted in cancer, charitable organizations, denial, emotions, Fame, family, Fear, finances, grief, health, life, loss, media, medical, mental and physical health, MONEY, news, pain and misery, RobinRoberts, sadness, spiritual, tagged advocate, awareness, BRCA1 gene, cancer survivors, Christina Applegate, comments, discouragement, early detection, encouragement, experts, fallopian tubes, family history, genetic testing, Good Morning America, hostility, interview, loss, mastectomy, MRI's, negativity, ovaries, platform, prostrate cancer, protein, reconstructive surgery, researchers, Robin Roberts, skeptical, Stand Up To Cancer, suppressing tumors, surgery, thief on August 19, 2008| 1 Comment »
Today the interview with Christina Applegate aired which told of her diagnosis of breast cancer…she apparently has the breast cancer gene BRCA1. She seems very upbeat and proactive in her approach. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor…so, Christina has been getting testing since she was thirty years old…she is 36 now. So she knew early on that she was to remain vigilant in her testing because of family history. This is a good thing because she was able to be diagnosed very early.
Christina chose to be very proactive and had a double mastectomy. It sounds as though people with BRCA1 are at more of a risk of developing cancer in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or the prostrate. It is thought that with the BRCA1 gene (there are over 600 mutations that researchers have discovered) that it some how develops a protein that doesn’t work properly to suppress tumor development.
In reading some of the comments left on ABC’s website in regards to the interview Robin Roberts did with Christina…some of the people were skeptical of her declaring herself 100% cancer free. Many of the commenters are cancer survivors who also thought themselves free of cancer and they have been through multiple levels of treatment and surgeries. If it is an encouragement to herself then, so what? Encouragement and discouragement are seperated by just a breadth of a hair width! I think the consensus is that after only a month; some of them felt it was irresponsible of her to say that she is cancer free. While i understand that it is a milestone for her to say that and feel it…it is important to also remind people…that being cancer free after a bout with cancer is about remaining vigilant; about testing, and, about follow up with proper medical advice and guidance. Christina is not an ignorant person…she is just choosing to focus on the positives of the moment. What cancer patient doesn’t try to do that? It is a survival skill to be thankful for the positive things in a negative situation!
Some of the commentors were just a little shy of hostility…some, i think were hinting that she is in denial…there were also, well wishers. What i liked when i heard the interview, was that Christina is pledging to work towards raising funds to go towards funding genetic testing and MRI’s, for those who can’t afford it, which is extremely helpful in early detection. She is also going to be involved in a televised special called “Stand Up To Cancer” which will include many “stars”. Raising awareness and funds, i believe will be the goal.
One thing to remind ourselves of, is that cancer doesn’t discriminate between people of wealth and those who have none. It is an equal opportunity destroyer. However, finances can make all of the difference in diagnosis, treatment; and, the ability to eat right to heal; as well as, having enough money to afford insurance and transportation to and from medical appointments. This is all real life issues for people around the world.
Let’s remember for Christina, this is all new…she just had the surgery 3 weeks ago. If she is choosing to be hopeful and positive that is a good thing. Yes, to be fair…not everyone has the money to get the diagnostic testing available to her…nor, are most people able to get surgery scheduled so quickly and have “experts” on treatment available for immediate consultation. Let’s not begrudge her, or anyone, that blessing.
Christina is saying that she will have reconstructive surgery and have “cute boobs when she is 90”. Many people don’t have the funds for that either…Christina is blessed and i think she is aware of that. It is unfortunate that we all don’t have that financial blessing as well. In an ideal world, any person afflicted with the disease would be able to choose treatment and reconstruction without regard for cost; unfortunately, it is sad that it is not so!
It is hard enough going through diagnosis, treatment and the physical and emotional ups and downs without being able to have reconstruction surgery if you want it. Grieving the loss of your breasts is very natural but, if you want the reconstructive surgery and can’t afford it; it only adds to the pain and loss. Healing is more than body; it is mind and spirit as well. Christina will understand that in giving interviews, sensitivity directed towards other patients who aren’t as blessed financially is important too. Of course, none of us knows what was edited out of the interview, by others, because of time constraints…all i am saying is, give benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Here is a link to a foundation that Christina is behind: http://www.rightactionforwomen.org/
What Christina has going for her is her youth, early diagnosis, family support, and a platform to educate young women that they are at risk even though they are young. I say, don’t bring doom and gloom on her for how she handles her health. Yes, she can educate in a variety of ways…and as long as she has a platform; she needs to do her best to pass accurate information on to others if she is going to address the issue. It is wise to point out, that she says she was not ready to go public with the information about her battle with breast cancer…but as always…rogue media was breaking the news and they were also publishing random rumors, many without truth. She felt the need to correct those.
People should have a right to privacy if they choose it in regards to their personal private health information. As she adjusts to the changes in her life, she has the ability to be an amazing advocate for cancer patients. In the meantime, wish her well…help her fund-raise to educate, inform, and enable those who cannot afford genetic testing and MRI’s which both can be very expensive and exclude many patients from taking advantage of them.
Life is too short to spread negativity…in your own life as well as the lives of others. Cancer is a thief and has stolen enough from us all…let’s channel energy into fighting the real enemy…Cancer! See also: https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/christina-applegate-robin-roberts-interview/ or topic related to breast cancer: https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/triple-negative-breast-cancer/ or https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/women-are-dying-for-size-of-level-d-when-it-comes-to-breasts/
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