The Rules of the Game. Neil Strauss

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       MISSION 1: Adopt the Caveman Hygiene Method

      This next mission may make you a little uncomfortable. And that’s a good thing. The reason will be made clear tomorrow. But for now:

      Do not shower today.

      Do not shave today.

      Chances are, no one will notice—most people are too busy worrying about how they look. If they do, tell them you’re trying to win a bet or participating in a highly compensated study for the deodorant industry.

       MISSION 2: Speak with Confidence

      When I was learning the game, I had trouble meeting new people because I talked too fast, too softly, and swallowed my words. In a loud club, it made meeting women practically impossible. So I went to a vocal coach named Arthur Joseph.

      “Your voice is your identity,” he teaches. “It can tell people everything about who you are, how you feel about yourself, and what you believe in.”

      So today we’re going to work on your voice.

      There are five common speech mistakes people make. These errors are outlined, along with an exercise for each, in your Day 3 Briefing.

      Your task is to read the article and do at least three of the exercises, even if you don’t think you need to. You may be surprised.

       MISSION 3: Find Mr. Moviefone

      For today’s field mission, stay home. You’re going to use only your voice.

      Your task is to dial a local number randomly on your telephone. When someone answers, try to get him or her to recommend a good movie. That’s all.

      The point isn’t just to talk to more strangers. It’s to learn how to change the course of an interaction without making the other person feel uncomfortable.

      This skill will help you take control of conversations in real life and direct them toward the outcome you want.

      A few hints:

      Rather than just dialing random strings of seven-digit numbers, look through a residential telephone book and select numbers at random. Or use the first three digits in your own number and make up the last four digits.

      Here’s a sample script I used when doing the Challenge myself:

      “Hi, is Katie there? No? Well, maybe I can quickly ask you this instead.” Don’t pause here and give the person an opportunity to say no. “I want to see a movie tonight. And I was wondering, have you seen any good movies lately that you’d recommend?”

      Here’s another script that worked:

      “Hello? Is this Moviefone? No? Well, would you mind quickly recommending a movie to watch tonight? Have you seen anything good lately?”

      If the person you’re speaking to hesitates or asks if this is a joke, reassure him or her by saying that you’re serious. One magic word you can use is because. Providing a reason, no matter how illogical (such as “No, I’m serious, because I’m in a rush”), psychologically influences people to accept an unexpected behavior.

      Once you’ve received a movie recommendation from three separate people, consider today’s mission successfully completed.

       MISSION 4: Hypno Time (Optional)

      Listen to yesterday’s charismatic mind-shaping exercise again. Understand and begin to integrate your new attributes and self-image.

       DAY 3 BRIEFING

       VOCAL TRAINING

      With the help of several vocal coaches, I’ve put together five exercises designed to eliminate weakness in your speech and bring out your most full, powerful, and commanding voice.

      Before beginning this activity, you’ll need:

       ^{A mirror, preferably full-length;}

       ^{An audio recorder, or a computer with a microphone;}

       ^{An open area where you can be loud.}

      The Basics

      There are two factors that make all the difference between a good orator and a bad one: breath and posture.

      Breathing deeply before you speak fills your lungs with air, allowing you to give full power to your words. To ensure that you’re doing this correctly, take a deep breath. If your chest expands, your breathing is too shallow.

      Try it again until your diaphragm—the sheet of muscle beneath your rib cage—expands. To check this, place your hand on your stomach to make sure it rises with each inhalation.

      Bad posture can restrict your diaphragm and breathing, effectively neutering your vocal power. Whenever you speak, make sure that your upper body is straight and aligned. If necessary, use the technique of imagining a string running from the bottom of your spine to the top of your head and then pulling it taut. But don’t get too tense; make sure you’re relaxed comfortably into the frame of your body. If this seems unnatural, don’t worry: Tomorrow we’ll examine your posture in detail.

      PROBLEM: Low or Soft Voice

      SOLUTION: Find a large, open space indoors or outdoors. Bring an audio recorder, a trusted friend, or both.

      Take three large steps away from your audio recorder or friend.

      Take a deep breath СКАЧАТЬ