Wish List: The Art Of Getting What You Want

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

There are lots of things we want in life, but we don’t always get them. And, it’s likely, that like most, we put the blame on someone else. Still, according to experts, the reason or reasons we often don’t get what we want is, at least partially up to us.

Here are just some situations where your strategy can make some subliminal suggestions in your favour:

· Get a “leg up” at work: The key to success is often coming across as a team player, even if you’re job is to be the stringent supervisor. Experts suggest a picture of a pooch (preferably yours), making you automatically seem more loyal and likable. Just proceed with caution and don’t clutter your walls with canines, otherwise you’ll be sending quite a different message, one that says you’re not very professional.

· Boost your “power” perception: Black is an authoritative colour so wearing black, immediately makes you seem more serious about your position and career. You should also try being more serious, and that means not joking or smiling as much as you’d like to or normally would. According to statistics being neutral in dress and attitude conveys a character of strength and status.

· Impressing the in-laws or future in-laws: Find out about their likes and dislikes, particularly in regard to someone “they” admire and learn about the positive contributions made by this person. Not only will you be well-equipped for non-volatile conversation, but showing favour to someone they favour will result in winning you favour.

· Expanding your circle of friends: Once married, or coupled, some friends seem to fall out of the loop leaving you looking for replacement. But, being older (and likely pickier and busier) bonding may feel a bit bizarre. Boost your chances of turning an acquaintance into a friend by emulating his or her actions; and/or taking on some of his or her traits. This seems to be effective because, according to experts, people are looking to connect with “mirror-images” or themselves and if you show enough similarities, you are making it easier for the other person to feel more comfortable around you and more connected to you.

· Getting your mate to clean up his or her act: Use common scents, literally. Experts suggest spaying a room or area with a familiar and unmistakable cleaning fragrance just prior to him or her entering. They note that this psychologically encourages people to start tidying their immediate surroundings. Spraying some cleaning fluid in the bathroom sink just before he or she enters also works wonders.