The Power of Persuasion

My Superpower

       Many people say that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. In my case, my mouth is a terrible thing to waste. It all started many years ago when my mouth began to form different shapes and sound words. The mouth is one of the greatest conduits for expressing feelings and opinions. It is also a tool for manipulation.

       Over the years I have developed a skill to, most of the time, get people to do what I want. My mouth is not nervous when it is working. It does not stumble, does not freeze up, and does not falter. I have always spoken as a person who is more mature that my age would suggest. My eloquent speech always made an impression on people, interviews were a synch, and motivational speaking made more of an impact to my target audience.

       If one wonders when I truly realized that my mouth was a gift, it would have to be in December. My mother is a teacher in NYC. She teaches 7th graders, who, because they live in NYC, believe they need to be in gangs, do drugs, drink alcohol, and have sex before their even teenagers. My mother is worried about these kids and asked me to come in and shock them a little bit as I would identify a bit better than “the teacher”.  My main goal was to make sure these kids knew that I grew up in NYC and did none of what they’re doing now. Of course I was told that their families weren’t conducive to success. My main point at that time was, “It’s an excuse. I don’t want you to ‘fail’ at life and then blame everyone else but the person you really should be blaming: yourself. There have been people throughout history who have been successful and have done historic things and didn’t have the most ideal living situations. Don’t cripple yourself by making excuses on why you can’t do something, but make them into reasons why you have to be successful and do what you never thought you can do.”

       I spent about one hour talking to them and I could see them taking in what I was telling them. I’m not expecting them to instantly change their life but I do hope that it reduces the dangerous chances they take at such a young age in such a dangerous city.

       My mouth is my favorite part because it gives benefits to more people than just me. I hope my mouth continues to stay strong, intelligent, and willing to help others just like Tony Robbins, just maybe not as big.