English

Enjoying the competition

This last week I enjoyed watching the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. Having lived 25 plus years in Miami, I wanted to cheer for the Heat, but I love to compete against anyone, so I found a friend who loves the Heat and we decided to wager a small supper on the winner of the best of seven series.

As my wife said, “Larry- you don’t really want the Mav’s to win, you just love the thrill of competing.”

You know- she is right. I just love to compete, and sometimes I really don’t care if I win. I just want to compete, and sure it is fun to have my friend pay for supper.

Three weeks ago I was up in Ohio for a nieces wedding. The younger boys were out shooting some baskets in the back yard. I went out and stood around until they finally said- “hey “old man” -do you want to play?” Did I want to play? Like asking a child if he wants candy…

I started playing with all my heart, and there came a point, while I was winning that I just started laughing while I was guarding one of the guys. Laughing really loud because I was having the time of my life once again while competing. Why? Because I know I will never have this moment again. And that causes me to pause right now and ask the question-

Do you enjoy competing? Or has having to win taken the joy out of doing your best? Today I choose to enjoy the competition that business brings, do I want to win- of course, but I want to compete even more.

Oh, and in case you were wondering… yes, this “old man” won at every game of basketball we played that night.

Enjoy life my friends.

 

Do people trust you? Well, how fast do you talk?

Researchers recently released a study that shows how our rate of speech is a significant factor for convincing people to do things. The study found that those who spoke moderately fast, around 3 and 1/2 words per second, were much more successful at persuasion than people who talked very slow or very fast.

The researchers looked at many factors — speech rates, fluency, and pitch –and analyzed which variables were important with successfully convincing people to participate in the survey. The findings seem to have confirmed the obvious. People who talk really fast are viewed as not trustworthy and the people who talk really slow are very smart. 

This week, listen to yourself, how fast are you talking? You may want to slow down, just a little.