“Equal To Genius Itself”

“Beware the fury of a patient man” John Dryden

In our digital-obsessed modern world full of ease and convenience, we want everything now. We want it without having to work for it. We think we’re entitled to it.

This mentality extends to the world of online marketing and sales. We are bombarded daily with content on “hacks”, “ninja secrets” and “easy tricks”.

We all want to be more influential and persuasive. Naturally, it’s easy to think of these powerful skills in terms of shortcuts.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesn’t work that way. Of course, there are techniques you can learn, words you can use, etc. But truly becoming persuasive and influential requires work. It requires time. It demands patience. And effort.

If you insist on having it without toil, feel free to click away. No offense, but I did not write this article for you. I wrote it for those willing to put in the work.

A Persuasion Secret You’ve Probably Never Heard Before

Persuasion and influence are not tricks or hacks. They’re not just something you do. At a deep, fundamental level, they’re something you are, I am convinced.

I firmly believe your ability to be as influential and persuasive as possible depends on your level of self-discipline and willpower.

Let’s consider a story from the pages of American history. In An Iron Will, written in 1901, author O.S. Marden tells a fascinating story about President Andrew Jackson. Apparently “Old Hickory” was noted for his extreme self-discipline and willpower. He was also wildly popular.

Marden says of President Jackson, “To his great self-discipline and self-mastery he owed his success.” Later Marden adds, “Such self-training, such self-conquest gives one great power over others. It is equal to genius itself.” (Emphasis added)

Elsewhere in the book, Marden says, “The world in its heart admires the stern, determined doer.”

Now think about this for a moment. Andrew Jackson was a “stern, determined doer”. He had an amazing level of willpower. And he was very influential and persuasive.

If we followed his example, could we be the same way? I think so. We love stories, including stories about people accomplishing great things. We admire and respect such people. We want to live vicariously through them.

You’ve heard the sales maxim, “People buy from those they know, like and trust”. We can naturally add that we are more easily influenced and persuaded by people we know, like and trust.

When people who are demonstrating great willpower tell their stories, we know, like and trust them. We are influenced by them. Something from within them oozes out of them and is felt by those around them.

Guess what? I believe this persuasive quality is felt through the writing such people do. Poet Robert Frost said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” In other words, the emotional state of the writer affects the quality of their writing and is felt by the reader.

Based on my own experience as a copywriter, content marketer and 2X published author, I believe it!

Thinking and writing about this idea has challenged me to become more self-disciplined and to exercise my “willpower muscle”.

I don’t just write about influence and persuasion. I live them! Success in my business depends on my ability to influence and persuade. And I could definitely benefit from having more willpower.

In your quest to develop your ability to persuade and influence, I advise you to not just look on the surface, but to go deeper. Look for ways to influence and persuade “from the inside.”

I truly believe that developing greater self-discipline and willpower will help you become more persuasive, more influential and enjoy greater impact in life and business.

Here's to your success!

John

John Rugh is a copywriter, marketing and sales strategist, 2X published author, and award-winning speaker.

He harnesses his skills, talents and expertise--copywriting (especially email copy), research, marketing strategy, empathy, buyer psychology, and selling, to help his clients win more sales and enjoy longer, more profitable customer relationships.

His goal? To help each of his clients thrive like never before!

You can reach John at?https://johnrugh.com/contact-me.