If you act as if everyone likes you, it will change your reality!
Do you act differently around different people? Are you more relaxed and give more of yourself to some people? Does the way you interact depend on who you are with? Does it make a difference if you think they like you or not?
I remember a time not so long ago when I first met a business colleague who was quite aloof and non-engaging. I remember making this mean that maybe she did not like me. Normally I would not make an effort with this person, I would just accept my initial thought and keep my distance.
Not this time though, I decided that I would act as if she did like me. I treated her the way I treat other people I do like, and wouldn’t you know it, she responded the way my friends do. Funny thing is I would never have formed a friendship with this girl if I hadn’t changed my belief and the way I responded to her.
I wonder how this way of thinking will change the quality of your life and maybe even increase the number of friends you have. My challenge to you is to act as is everyone likes you and see how it changes your reality.
Let me elaborate firstly on the previous feedback that it doesn’t work. This strategy is of more benefit for new people you meet. This is where you will see instant results. My understanding is that this was in relation to a strained relationship which already existed. For many of us it took a long time to form the relationships we have with people, good and not so good. Therefore it would possibly take more than just a couple of times of acting differently before your actions are reciprocated. Put yourself in their shoes, just because someone you don’t have a good relationship with suddenly acts as if you are friends, doesn’t mean you will respond in the same way. Although if you continued, they may eventually feel comfortable enough to trust that it is okay.
For those people who tried it and found it did work, congratulations on your instant results! You actually changed the outcome you would have normally experienced simply by changing what you believed a certain behaviour meant. For example when someone hasn’t returned your phone call, you may have normally jumped straight to the conclusion that you must have done something wrong or the person doesn’t want to speak to you. When in reality, it is probably that they just forgot or they are busy. There could be a thousand different reasons why they have not returned your call.
So why would we choose to think it is something about us personally, when we can gain the benefits that come along with choosing to think otherwise!
September 1, 2012 9:58 am 
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