I actually try to include a personal story in each article I write: it’s part of my template. But maybe the personal story in some of my earlier articles wasn’t strong or detailed enough, to where it wasn’t making any impact. Thanks for the helpful critique. I’m pushing myself to make the personal stories a lot better in my future articles.

Thanks again for stopping by, offering your helpful insight, and all the best,
Oleg

Best,
Oleg

Oscar

You know what I liked most about this post? That personal story, to illustrate your point! You didn’t do that in previous posts I’ve read (which ended up a little cliché-like as a result*). This is way better, and I’m pointing it out so that you know what to aim for.

Revealing personal details/feelings/thoughts is not easy for many people (including myself) but it makes for compelling reading (watch & learn from Penelope Trunk).

* but I read them nonetheless, so don’t get discouraged

Here’s to continued smiling
Oleg

Great Post,
Oleg

Digging your metaphor with the light in a dark room. A great visualization for the effect smiling has. And I completely agree with your point about genuine smiling opening opportunities you might’ve not otherwise gotten had you been grumpy. Some new food for thought, and worth a follow-up article. How to Unlock Opportunities: Smile

Appreciate the nice words. Keep writing yourself and stay smiling,
Oleg

Cheers for sharing that. I love learning new tidbits throughout the day

All the best with your site BrandEntity, and keep smiling,
Oleg

I was just thinking that I need to smile more often. You mention that smiling is great way to shield yourself from daily BS and make yourself better. That is true. And Jared makes a great point about psychological studies proving that point.

However, I want to elaborate on a point that you made: “I smile at everyone I see, and most of them smile back, their eyes becoming brighter too. Smiling is awesome.” I think that is what smiling is all about.

Here’s how it think of smiling : “Smiling is like lighting a light in a pitch dark room”. It makes you feel brighter, but more importantly it makes so many other people see the light and it brightens their day as well. And that is one more reason to smile.

Smiling also make your look more approachable, friendly and it will open many more opportunities in your life. It will make you stand out. Most people have a lot of difficulties and pain in their lives and it is hard for them to cheer. It become almost a normal thing to be grumpy towards others.

Yet, I think to so many instances when my day was so much better better because I saw somebody smile or be friendly to a complete stranger. You never know how far will your smile or an act of kindness go, because if you light just one more candle, that same candle can light many more and in reality you will have made a difference not only in one person’s life, but in more than you can think of.

One thing I do believe in is being genuine about smiling. People can tell fake smiles. It is alright to use fake smiling to get used to smiling all the time, but a fake smile can cause more damage than a grumpy look on your face.

Great post, Oleg!

Keep working.

Best,
Tomas