Seguimos con la segunda entrada de English & Influence; algunos de los patrones lingüísticos para influir directamente en el interlocutor de una forma suave y natural, para la diversión o para éxito..

______ when now would be a good time ______.

Now is a powerful word, because it brings a person’s attention into the present moment.  It’s particularly useful when you want someone to take action now.  I’m just calling to find out when now would be a good time for us to put a date in the diary and meet up.  I was wondering when now would be a good time for you to tidy your room.  The phrasing’s a little bit odd, but people don’t seem to notice.  And if they do, just say ‘never mind’.  I’m not sure when now would be a good time to practice this pattern.  How about now?

______ cuando ahora sería un buen momento ______.

Ahora es una palabra poderosa, porque lleva la atención de una persona al momento presente.  Es bastante útil cuando quieres que una persona tome acción ahora.  Yo sólo llamaba para ver cuando ahora sería un buen momento a poner una fecha en el calendario y quedar.  Yo me preguntaba cuando ahora sería un buen momento para limpiar tu cuarto.  La forma de expresarlo es un poco rarillo, pero la gente no parece darse cuenta.  Y si se la da, solo falta decirle <no importa>.  No estoy seguro si ahora sería un buen momento para practicar este patrón.  ¿Y si lo practicaras ahora?

Source: Jamie Smart, Irresistible Influence @ Saladltd.co.uk

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Whether learning languages or trying to grasp an entirely different discipline, we all have our own personal learning style – some methods work for us, while others leave us cold.  This is why it is vitally important to know what works best for you – so that you can use your study time effectively and gain the optimum results.  You can focus on the techniques and materials that are most effective for you.

This test will help you find your preferred learning style.  In each scenario there are three options.  Note which one, either A, B or C, is most appropriate to you.  Remember your results and at the end I will be able to calculate your preferred learning style.

1.  You are about to buy a computer.  First of all you …

• read all about computers, prices etc. before going out to the shop.
• go to the shops and listen to the different salesmen as they talk you through the different options.
• go to the shops, try out the different computers, play with them and decide which suits you best.

2.  You are in a country where you don’t speak the language.  Your first instinct is to …

• talk to people and listen to them in the hope that there will be some recognisable word or context.
• write or draw things to facilitate understanding.
• act out what you want or move you hands and make shapes in the air.

3.  When you were at school you used to …

• write notes frantically.
• understand more in the lab or by doing practical exercises than from the teacher talking.
• listen to the teacher without the distraction of note-taking.

4.  To check the spelling of a word, you …

• picture it in your mind.
• spell out loud all the possible alternatives and decide which sounds right.
• pretend to write it on the table.

5.  When learning something new, what helps you most is …

• listening to the information.
• watching someone give a demonstration.
• looking at flash cards.

6.  When you are going somewhere new, you …

• have a good sense of direction and follow your instincts.
• always end up asking someone for directions.
• always use a map.

7.  When you are cooking, you …

• just know what to do.  When you start it all comes naturally.
• read the recipe out loud and then you remember it.
• need to keep looking at the recipe, no matter how many times you have made the dish.

8.  When trying to relax, what distracts you most is …

• Noise (e.g. chatter).
• Messiness (e.g. an untidy room).
• Movement (e.g. people who won’t stand still, TV).

9.  The game you like best of these three is …

• Trivial Pursuit.
• Scrabble.
• Charades.

10.  When you are studying by yourself you …

• read quietly.
• walk around, make notes and fiddle with things while you’re reading.
• read out loud.

11.  What you most like to do as a break from routine is …

• reading.
• sport.
• chatting to a friend on the phone.

12.  What you most enjoy in a book is …

• vivid dialogues.
• vivid descriptions.
• vivid action, e.g. comics.

13.  When preparing to give a presentation, you …

• rehearse your speech several times out loud.
• perform your speech in front of friends.
• quietly read through your bullet points or list of main points.

14.  A good teacher …

• holds a lot of question-and-answer sessions.
• does a lot of role-plays and demonstrations.
• gives a lot of notes and hand-outs.

15.  When telling a story you …

• act out the dialogues and use a different voice for each character.
• focus on the dialogues.
• do lots of describing.

16.  You remember most easily …

• something you have done.
• something you have witnessed.
• something you have talked about.

17.  You remember a person by …

• something they were wearing.
• something they said.
• something they did.

18.  You like to study …

• with a ‘study buddy’ to discuss your notes.
• on your own to read your notes in peace.
• on your own or in a group, just as long as you are practising what you are learning.

19.  In meetings you tend to …

• organise the meeting rather than do any listening or talking.
• talk more than observe.
• observe more than talk.

20.  You would rather be called …

• imaginative.
• intellectual.
• practical.

Los resultados del questionario serán calculados y devueltos al estudiante durante tiempo de clase.

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Source: Tony Buzan, Language Revolution

I’m not going to say “________”, because ________.

This pattern uses the power of both negation and quotes, and you can use it to say the unsayable.  I’m not going to say “I’m the perfect person for you”, because that would just be arrogant.  I’m not going to say “Your business is in safe hands with us”, because that’s such a cliche.  I’m not going to say “Buy a copy of my product for everyone you know”, because that’s a decision you have to make for yourself!  Meanwhile, the embedded command, the quote, makes its way into the subconscious mind of the listener…

No voy a decir <________>, porque ________.

Este patron utiliza el poder de la negación y también lo de las citas, y se puede usarlo para decir lo indecible.  Yo no voy a decir que <Soy la persona perfecta para tí>, porque esto sería arrogante.  Yo no voy a decir que <Su negocio está asegurado con nosotros>, porque esto es muy cliché.  Yo no voy a decirle que <Compre una copia de mi producto para todo el mundo que conozca>, ¡porque esta es una decisión que usted tiene que tomar por sí mismo!  Cuando la atención del interlocutor está confundida por la primera parte de la frase, el órden, la citación, va directamente a su subconciente…

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Source: Jamie Smart, Irresistible Influence @ Salad Ltd., UK

“It should come as no surprise that I recommend helping other people as a method of staying awake.”

- Brad Blanton – Radical Honesty

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La Citación del Año…

“Tengo uno de los mejores trabajos en el mundo.  La oportunidad que se me ha dado en contribuir a los demás por escuchar su lucha entre ser y mente es un gran regalo, porque me da la oportunidad de practicar mi propia liberación corriente.  Cuando opero desde este “gracias por dejarme entrar en tu vida,” soy un terapeuta fantástico.  Cuando presto atención con honor y con interés, nunca tengo que pensar en qué decir.  Lo que se me salga no parece venir de mí.  Viene de nosotros.  Cuando hablar viene desde el escuchar en vez de lo revés, Estoy liberado de mi mente en igual medida que está él de la suya.

“No debería ser una sorpresa que recomenda ayudar a los demás como forma de mantenerse despierto.”

- Brad Blanton – Honestidad Radical

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Radical Honesty Resources

Brad Blanton – Official Website

How To Practice Radical Honesty

Decir siempre la verdad por más que duela (El Mundo, Noviembre de 2007)

Radio Interview with Brad Blanton about Radical Honesty

Buy the book in English, Comprar el libro en castellano.

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