JORGE RODRIGUES SIMAO

According to Samuel Johnson, "most people spend parts of their lives in attempts to display qualities they don't have." Indeed, motivated by the desire to be popular, many human beings go out of their way to impress the world with their nonexistent qualities. They may use expensive clothing, flashy cars, big houses, the latest fads, name-dropping, and past achievements in attempts to claim attention from other individuals. Because we are social animals, the desire to be liked and respected is natural.

In fact, whether we admit it or not, being endeared to others is incredibly important to just about everybody.

If we are looking to associate with people of good character, however, displaying qualities that we don't have isn't the key to being more lovable.

No one impresses individuals with great character less than superficial people who go out of their way to try and impress others.

The irony is that the best way to impress other people is by not trying to impress them.

Well-balanced people are drawn to others who have inner confidence and don't have to seek approval.

To be sure, it's nice to be recognized for your achievements.

The drawback is that trying to prove yourself to others by boasting and pointing out your  accomplishments takes a lot of energy.

The people who most count in your work life - those who can unlock doors and create opportunities for financial and career success - won't be influenced at all when it's obvious you are desperately trying to impress them.

 Just as important, perhaps, is that people in your personal life will start avoiding you if you spend too much time boasting about yourself.

lt is just as futile to try to arouse others with your beauty, wealth, and power as with your achievements.

You have to ask yourself, "What sort of people are going to be impressed by these things?"

Probably not anyone with whom you can enjoy meaningful and enjoyable interactions.

Besides, anyone worth knowing will discover your true qualities sooner or later – particularly once they realize that they have been sold a false bill of goods.

Plain and simple, you are setting yourself up for more problems in your life when you try to be something or someone you aren't.

Anything that you say or do may reflect badly on your character.

Anyone who longs to be somebody other than the person she is shows to others that she is miserable.

When you are truly successful in this game called life, you have nothing to prove to anyone.

There is no need to drive an expensive car, live in a big house, or wear fashionable clothes in an attempt to be liked by others.

The best alternative to trying to impress others is to be yourself. You must project who you really are instead of some act or facade that isn't you.

Stop caring about what others think of you.

Completely!

Totally!

100 percent!

You will save yourself a lot of frustration and embarrassment.

Heed the words of William Shakespeare: "This above all: to thine own self be true."

This way you get respect and adulation to flow naturally to you.

Fact is, sharing your true self with others is usually a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

When you are meeting people, the key is not to be desperate.

The least amount of affection is going to flow your way when you seek it the most.

The secret is to learn to relax, enjoy yourself, and be yourself.

People of great character will always determine the quality of your personality by what you stand for, what you fight for, and what you live for.

Perhaps you would like to impress the whole world.

Then spend your time making a positive difference in this world and the world will be impressed.

I can give no better example than Mother Teresa.

The paradox is that your popularity has a much greater chance of hitting new heights when you don't actively seek popularity.

How much you actually impress people will be directly proportional to how much you share your true self with them - and inversely proportional to how much you go out of your way to try to impress them.