How To Convince People To Change Their Minds Using 3 Powerful Persuasion Tips
By Michael Lee

Learning how to convince people to change their minds can be tough, especially if you're dealing with a jaded lot. Some people don't like to make the effort to change. Others just think that they're better off continuing what they're doing now.

However, there are ways to get around their shields - ways to get them to take on a different point of view or to change their behavior. Read on to find out how to convince people to change their minds.

Persuasion Tip # 1: Make Use of Adages.

Change is the only constant thing in this world. True. By reciting this adage, among others, to the people you're supposed to convince of change, you're practically delivering universal truths.

People who are less adamant about the concept of change are also typically the people who are easily swayed by public opinion. They are the crowd who likes the status quo (hence their refusal to change). But what if the status quo is to change? Make them believe that, and they'll change their colors soon enough.

Persuasion Tip # 2: Show Them the Benefits.

An effective way on how to convince people to change their minds is by helping them weigh the pros and cons of changing. One of the cons could be that they'll have to step out of their comfort zone. However, you should immediately counter that with a pro by saying that the greatest of men have had to venture out into the unknown before they became who they are today.

The cons represent the set of beliefs they hold about change right now, while the pros are your opportunities to get inside their head. Obviously, there should be more emphasis on the pros than the cons; or else, you lose the argument.

Persuasion Tip # 3: Exaggerate the Consequences.

When trying to convince people to change their minds, a little bit of intimidation can go a long way. For example, if you're trying to convince your teenage nephew to stop smoking, telling him about the benefits of changing might not be enough.

In that case, you'll have to focus on the consequences of smoking itself. They are gruesome, of course. Lung cancer, rotting teeth, breathing difficulties, etc. Putting an emphasis on these grim and unpleasant conditions might scare him enough to stop smoking as soon as he can.

Learning how to convince people to change their minds can prove to be quite useful in everyday life. Of course, with knowledge comes responsibility as well. Don't use your powers of persuasion to harm other people. Instead, use it to help them better their lives.