Category: charisma

Putting Yourself Out There Isn’t Optional Anymore

“With people being distracted constantly by emails, texts, and general life obligations, you really must advocate for yourself constantly because no one else will.”

As much as we would like to think that others can network for us, find business or professional opportunities for us, or just keep us in mind in general, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but rarely is that the case. With people being distracted constantly by emails, texts, and general life obligations, you really must advocate for yourself constantly because no one else will. Sure, you may have folks who you are familiar with and have reached out to help carry the burden for you but that takes you to open your mouth and reach out to them in the first place, even if they are a stranger.

No one is going to network for you or vouch for you unless they know who you are and what you’re able to do. In an extroverted world, as hard as it is for introverts or ambiverts (a bit of both), you must speak up for yourself before others will speak up for you. It’s not easy to engage new people professionally or personally but you often must take the first step and see where it leads. I’ve noticed that especially in the post-COVID world, most people are more tied to their groups, cliques, or general friends, and it’s become harder to find reliable people who will vouch for you. If you’re standing around waiting for professional or personal relationships to find you instead of the other way around, I believe that you are going to be waiting a long time.

I’ve noticed this in my own life where you get much more out of an event, an outing, a meetup when you start the conversation first then wait for others to approach you. Everybody’s different in the sense of how often they get approached first in a public setting, but I know that I often will need to make the first move or it will not be that successful of an event or outing. It may be frustrating and tiresome at first to step out of your comfort zone and engage new people in conversation or to advocate for yourself, but that’s the world we live in where opportunities are not being given out freely or it’s easy to just land a job or a business deal just through your presence alone. You must be making the effort, trying to make something happen, and being comfortable with failure because it’s guaranteed to happen the more you do put yourself out there.

You alone know yourself best and can advocate for who you are, what you’re about, what you bring to the table, and what makes you different from your competition, especially in the professional world. Strong resumes, cover letters, references, etc. are commonplace nowadays and it’s more than likely that an AI or automated system is reading them first so in-person or virtual networking Is becoming more key to move your career or business forward than in previous eras.

You should also not just be focusing on landing the business deal, turning a stranger into an advocate, or making new friends, but forming a network of people who you can rely on and being someone who can be relied upon in return. Getting your foot in the door is just the first step but in the long run, you need to show a person or other people that you’re reliable, responsive, and can back up what you say with your actions.

More than ever, there are scammers, con artists, liars, cheats, and other nefarious characters who will want to take advantage of you or who you must be careful not to be involved with. Putting yourself out there involves taking on a risk because you never know at first who you’re dealing with but if you can be a good judge of character and distinguish yourself in terms of being reliable, honest, and able to get the job done, you will put yourself in a category where others will want to work or do business with you because you’ve been proven to be of good character and repute. 

Advocating for yourself doesn’t just pay off in terms of creating a solid network of good people around you but it also builds up your confidence, charisma, and ability to talk to anybody. Getting rid of your shyness will open a lot of doors to you in life that you wouldn’t have had if you hadn’t introduced yourself or promoted what you have to offer. Once you can deliver a presentation or talk to a room full of strangers, you feel like the sky is the limit and your social anxiety will diminish quite a bit. This will take several times to overcome, and I know that it was the case for me.

I still get shy at networking or a business event even after having gone to dozens of them in past years, but I also understand that it’s possible that very few people, if anyone, will open that door for me to talk to them, so I must be the one to make that initial effort. You don’t want to waste an hour or two hours just standing around and people watching. Time is valuable, especially when it comes to your career or business prospects. Make sure to always advocate for yourself, do your best to carry yourself well, and remember to let them reciprocate by having them open to you about who they are and what they are all about.

Most people are likely to be as shy as you are or even more shy so let them feel comfortable getting to know you and I’m sure they will appreciate having someone listen to them, hear what they have to say (without interrupting) and build a new connection from scratch. Be there for other people, do what you say you’ll do, and I promise they will be there for you in return long after the first time you shake hands and introduce yourself to each other.

Emulating ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’

“You don’t have to be the most interesting man or woman in the world, but I think these commercials did do a good job of why it’s necessary in life to embrace curiosity, experience, adventures, and being charismatic.”

I am not a big fan of commercials or advertisements generally, however, if they can be humorous or insightful, such as one kind of commercial that has captivated me for years, on what it is like to be ‘the most interesting man in the world’. I have long had a soft spot for the now defunct ‘Dos Equis’ beer commercials focusing on the character of “The Most Interesting Man in The World.” These commercials were not only humorous but also served as a cheesy yet truthful take in my view regarding how to be a more well-rounded, open-minded, confident, curious, and adventurous person. You don’t have to be the most interesting man or woman in the world, but I think these commercials did do a good job of why it’s necessary in life to embrace curiosity, experience, adventures, and being charismatic.

“The police often question him because they find him interesting.” In many of the ‘Most Interesting Man in The World’ commercials, you see the character actor, Jonathan Goldsmith engaged in various activities such as climbing Mount Everest, arm-wrestling a military general, or flying a plane. The character thrives on experiencing life and all it has to offer despite the risk(s) and danger(s) involved.

Whether its fencing, sea diving, or rescuing a lion, he thrives on novelty and making the most out of what life is all about. I don’t see anything wrong with you incorporating this kind of mindset such as seeking out new hobbies or interests, traveling to unique places, and learning new things to make life more exciting and fulfilling. You don’t need to be the most interesting man or woman in the world to do that, but you do need to take action to make that happen.

“He has inside jokes with complete strangers.” Having charisma, being appealing to other people, and showing confidence in your actions will carry you far in life. What ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’ commercials show us is that it does help to be charismatic, confident, and able to handle social situations with ease. This kind of character takes time to develop and won’t come easily, but like ‘the most interesting man’, it can pay off for you when you invest in your social life and take time to get better at building those social skills. The character in the commercial is not doing these activities alone and he is not at the bar or restaurant alone. He is self-assured, confident, telling a story, and being humorous to enhance his relationships. You should work on doing the same in terms of having those characteristics in both your personal and professional relationships. You never know when having these kinds of interpersonal skills will come in handy, but I can guarantee it will help you in life in one way or the other.

“He can speak French…in Russian.” The character himself is well versed in those activities and is knowledgeable in many fields such as learning languages, playing sports, or knowing different instruments. These commercials, while funny, do show the viewer the value of being a lifelong learner as it will make you a more well-rounded person. Being able to ride widely on different subjects, picking up new skills over the years, and engaging in a wide array of activities will make you stand out in a good way in terms of forming a holistic personality. If the character can do it, you can make it happen as well though take it one step at a time in terms of becoming a Renaissance person. You may not get there right away with being well-rounded, but years or decades of work will help you get there most often.

“People hang on his every word, even the prepositions.” The most interesting man in the world doesn’t boast and talk at length without being prompted first to share his adventures and experiences. He is intriguing because he is mysterious and saves his best stories for those, he wants to share them with. Even in these commercials, the actor has a real presence about him, partly because of his age but also because of his body language. You do not need to overshare with the average person or stranger, but you should intrigue people with your aura and your confidence. You can let someone new know a little bit about you without giving everything away. It takes time to get good at that, but you should save your best stories for your most intimate friendships or relationships. You should divulge a little bit about yourself at a time while maintaining some mystery for those people who really care to get to know you better.

“His blood smells like cologne.” When you dress well like the character does, when you have strong composure and when you carry yourself with both dignity and respect, people will treat you better and take you seriously. Remember to boost your confidence this way by paying more attention to how you present yourself, how you speak, and how you think you’re being perceived. You don’t need to be a fashion icon but like ‘the most interesting man in the world’, you have it in your power to dress well, have more refined taste, and present yourself as best as possible. Having good body language, dressing well, and being confident may not make you the ‘most interesting person’ but it will make you much more appealing and intriguing to know more about.

“Presidents take notes when he speaks.” Everything about these commercials suggest that ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’ has a legacy worth remembering and that his persona lives on long after he’s gone. The idea of having a legacy, contributing to something bigger than yourself, and being part of a greater mission are all themes from these commercials. Being remembered well, pursuing meaningful work, helping others who are less fortunate, and making bold choices should never be shied away from. You don’t have to be a fictional commercial character to do all these things.

The overall message behind this part of the character is something that we all can relate to in our lives. We want to have a positive impact in the world and leave something good behind whether that’s a family, a garden, or a charity. Whatever legacy you intend to have, ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’ encourages us all to life a life worth remembering and one in which we have a positive and memorable impact on the lives of other people.

At the end of the day, The Most Interesting Man in the World may be a fictional character from a beer commercial, but the essence of his magnetic and charismatic persona offers real life lessons. By embracing curiosity, confidence, and a spirit of adventure, anyone can cultivate a richer and more well-rounded life by following this example.

Whether it’s learning a new skill, traveling to unfamiliar places, or simply carrying yourself with both charisma and composure, you can become more interesting as a result, man or woman. The key to remember here is to stay open to new experiences and never stop growing as a person. You don’t have to be the most interesting person in the world or even the most likable person in the world but by following the character’s example, you just might become the most interesting person in the room and that’s a big deal. Stay curious, stay bold, and of course, stay thirsty, my friends.