Summary of How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

When we are wrong, we are happy to admit it to ourselves but rarely will we openly admit it to someone who is trying to blatantly show us how wrong we are.

Famous writer Ralph Waldo Emerson and his father wanted to get a calf into the barn but were having no success. No matter how hard they pushed or pulled, the calf would not budge. Their housemaid saw their predicament and came to their rescue. She thought of what the calf wanted and simply put her finger in the calf’s mouth and calmly led him into the barn.

Most of us don’t want a lot. At least not with a strong desire that will not accept no for an answer. In general, we all want:

1. Health

2. Food

3. Sleep

4. Money

5. Life after death

6. Sex

7. Well-being for children

8. A sense of importance

This is a common challenge that many parents face. They often lose patience and end up criticizing their children.