Interesting vs. Interested

“Quit trying to be interesting.  Start trying to be interested.”

This statement changed Jim Collins’ life.  It came at the end of a conversation the author was having years ago with his mentor.  It was confrontational. It struck a nerve.  And it stayed with him.

It has stayed with me too.

Which one do you find yourself most focused on these days: trying to be interesting or interested?

One is inwardly focused.

One is outwardly focused.

One won’t change much of anything.

One has the potential to change anything.

One is about me.

One is about others.

There are four simple ways to become more interested:

Be curious. Ask questions. Talk less. Listen more.

The ironic twist of it all is that when we become more interested, we might actually become more interesting.

Jeff

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