Imagine you are an investor or a newspaper reporter and everyone you meet wants to tell you about their product, idea or event. Such well-meaning promoters send emails and start talking non-stop without pause or consideration for your time. That would become trying very quickly.
The last thing that you want to do when you represent your Optimist Club is be overbearing. So consider your 30-second elevator speech as your conversation starter. If the person you are speaking to is not interested, ask if there might be another time you could meet, perhaps leave a one-page sheet of information, and then move on. You'll be remembered for your brevity and courtesy and that, my friend, is the beginning of a relationship.
Relationships are what matter. We all have them and they extend to more than dating, finding your significant other and family ties. When you smile at your neighbor, answer the telephone cordially, or thank the cashier in the checkout lane at the grocery store, you are participating in a relationship. When you buy or sell a product you open yourself up for a relationship. When you join a club or church, or go to work for a company, you are committing to a relationship.
The next time you set out to talk about your Optimist Club or a project that is near and dear to your heart, please remember the relationship that you establish with others is what will make the difference in whether or not you are heard. Be gracious. Be informative. And don't wear out your welcome.
