If you pay attention to your everyday life enough, you’ll know that you can learn from everything and everyone you come across. Our life is basically full of useful lessons that we should learn.
Here are 20 useful things to learn, based on a list shared by Abhishek A. Singh on Quora[1]. Start learning and see how these life lessons can help you live better.
1. Primacy and Recency
Primacy and recency refers to the fact that most people mostly remember the first and last things that occurred. Most memories skip over the middle stuff.
This can be applied specifically when scheduling an interview. Ask the employer for the time slots available and try to be the first or the last.
2. If You Work in Customer Service, Put a Mirror Behind You
If you work in a bar or in any location where you are interacting directly with customers, it’s useful to have a mirror directly behind you.
With this, angry customers who approach you will have to see themselves in the mirror, and the chances of them behaving irrationally will be lowered significantly.
3. Once You Make a Sales Pitch, Don’t Say More
This works in sales, but it can also be applied in other ways.
My previous boss was training me and giving me pointers. I was working at a gym trying to sell memberships. He told me that once I got all the small talk out of the way and presented the prices, the first person to talk would lose.
It didn’t seem like a big deal, but it actually worked. Often, there were long periods of awkward silence as the person tried to come up with some excuses, but usually they bought.
4. Wait for a Full Answer
If you ask someone a question, and they only offer a partial answer, do your best to wait it out. If you stay silent and keep eye contact, they will usually continue to talk and offer more information.
5. Chew Gum to Decrease Nervousness
When we eat, our brain tells us, “I would not be eating if I were in danger. So I’m not in danger.” This can work in situations such as public speaking, bungee jumping, or just before an interview.
