Oh, This Old Thing?
Ask Questions
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You don't have to be like my friend (now an official angel) to do this. You don't even have to eliminate yourself as a target of envy (itself an impossible task—get rid of the fancy house/car/kitchen appliance, and someone will covet your knack for simplicity). You just have to know your own areas of interest, then ask questions that connect other people to those topics.
Ask Questions
I myself am ridiculously intrigued by what people are really thinking about life, love, work, and highway speed traps. Try asking three people at a cocktail party if they have any phobias. If you're anything like me, you'll have a fascinating evening. Of course, you may not share my lust for psychological intensity. In that case, try a shortcut I've learned for getting into an observer's perspective: Ask people to tell you things about themselves that might be featured on your favorite TV shows. For example:
Ask Questions
I myself am ridiculously intrigued by what people are really thinking about life, love, work, and highway speed traps. Try asking three people at a cocktail party if they have any phobias. If you're anything like me, you'll have a fascinating evening. Of course, you may not share my lust for psychological intensity. In that case, try a shortcut I've learned for getting into an observer's perspective: Ask people to tell you things about themselves that might be featured on your favorite TV shows. For example:
- If you like watching…the Food Network
Ask people…"What's the best (or worst) meal you ever ate?" - If you like watching…Fear Factor
Ask people…"What's the scariest thing you've ever done?" - If you like watching…The Crocodile Hunter
Ask people…"Have you ever been attacked by an animal?"