Free Essay on the Instant Influence Book

Instant Influence by Michael V. Pantalon is a book geared towards motivating people to be better persons. Through this book, the renowned psychologist details how one can inspire changes, both pronounced and minor, in others as well as in themselves. This book is of indubitable importance to any individual interested in helping a loved one adopt better habits, encourage employees to perform better as well lure in more customers. It gives impeccable steps on how to achieve instant influence, how to meet resistance head-on as well as how to find positivity amidst immense negativity.

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What is Instant Influence?

In this section, the author effectively describes how a simple technique can be used to acquire one’s anticipated results in people. The author begins by defining the title of his book ‘Instant Influence’. He describes instant influence as a scientifically confirmed technique for inspiring people in a short time span of 7 minutes or even less (Pantalon 2011). He labels the technique easy to learn in addition to presenting immediate results. He outlines six steps that can help one achieve instant influence. He takes a step further to explain how instant influence can be applied in virtually every situation.

Instant Influence by Michael Pantalon

Chapter One-What Makes People want to Change

Using Kelly as an example, the author ascertains that people are most likely to change when the reasons for the transformation are generated from within themselves rather than from being pushed by another individual. Consequently, to achieve one’s desired result, it is crucial to help people identify reasons for doing things. Instant Influence can result in four possible outcomes based on the influencee’s commitment to making a change. The success can be gauged as eithercomplete, partial or limited (Pantalon 2011). At times, a dead-end can be met. He acknowledges that Instant Influence is grounded on one’s personal choice to change. Moreover, every individual has enough motivation in them. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on the tiny amount of motivation that may be present in anindividual rather than asking about resistance (Pantalon 2011).

Chapter two- Reinforcing Autonomy

The author describes an immaculate way of dealing with a resistant individual using his personal experience. He outlines how, ‘denigrating the messenger,’ a technique borrowed from motivation research can be used to strengthen an influencee’s autonomy (Pantalon 2011). He is keen to acknowledge it is essential to let people to find their own whys and wherefores for doing things rather than compelling them.

Chapter three – The Six Steps to Instant Influence

The author illustrates the steps to achieving Instant Influence through a narrative of the partners Keith and Tracey.

Step 1- The step is aimed at identifying the reasons for the change.

Step 2- This step is aimed at gauging an individual’s desire to transform on a measure of one to ten; where 1 designates a lack of desire to change while 10 shows a complete desire to change.

Step 3 – This step inquires why the examinee failed to choose a lower number on the scale. The question interestingly contradicts the expected and hence serves its purpose.

Step 4 – This step is aimed at helping an individual to project the positive results of the change.

Step 5 – This step is aimed at evaluating the importance of the positive outcomes to the individual.

Step 6 – This step is meant to help an individual determine what they will do next after making the change.

Chapter Four – Influencing Yourself

The author puts forward that the six-step technique can also be used for personal reasons. He further explains that one does not need a therapist or a friend to influence themselves. The Instant Influence technique is an absolute inspiration tool. To demonstrate self-motivation, the author uses Yvonne who used the technique to end her procrastination habits (Pantalon 2011).

Chapter Five- Influencing People Who Want to Change

The author describes how the Instant Influence technique can help people who are willing to change but are yet to. He acknowledges that most people fail to change because they are deficient in the skills needed to move forward. Some fail to do so due to theirincapability to recognize their true yearnings (Pantalon 2011). In addition, some feel that it’s the wrong time or situation to take action. In this chapter, the author demonstrates how such challenges can be countered.

Chapter six – Influencing People Who Don’t Want to Change

The author is keen to recognize that the technique of Instant Influence may at times prove ineffective. He acknowledges that if an individual is intensely committed to rejecting change, all motivational techniques will prove unproductive. Furthermore, he identifies that change can only happen to those that want change to happen to them (Pantalon 2011). However, the author explains that even the most lost, crooked, reluctant or adamant individual has a tiny desire to reach a common ground (Pantalon 2011). Therefore, instant influence can help grow and nurture this inner desire either for immediate or long-term purposes.

Chapter seven- Influencing Strangers

The author explains that Instant Influence is also successful with strangers. He vividly describes how to reinforce the autonomy of strangers. He explains that Instant Influence works more effectively if one is able to foster a relationship with the stranger. He demonstrates this using customer care service people who usually have to establish influence on people within a short span of time (Pantalon 2011). In addition, he forewarns that some steps may have to be skipped when using the Instant Influence technique on strangers.

Chapter Eight – Identifying Change

In order to identify change, one has to be keen to listen to any utterances by an individual that suggest a desire to change. The author terms these utterances as ‘Change talk (Pantalon 2011).’ Secondly, one has to look for signs of change in an individual. Finally, on has to troubleshoot any problem areas.

Chapter Nine – Making an Action Plan

Making an action plan involves making a personal contract that outlines the exact things that the individual commits to. The contract can be either written or oral and either formal or informal. The contract should describe the time frame as well as the method to be used to achieve the change.

Chapter Ten – Moving On

In this chapter, the author basically encourages one to accept the results of the Instant technique, whether positive or negative and move on. He acknowledges that the Instant Influence technique may not always be effective(Pantalon 2011).However, he explains that through active acceptance, an individual can embrace the situation as it is.

Instant Influence is therefore an easy to read book with lots of helpful information to take away.

References

Pantalon, M. V. (2011). Instant influence: How to get anyone to do anything--fast. New York: Little, Brown.

Pantalon, M. V., Dixon, W., & Gildan Media Corporation. (2011). Instant influence: How to get anyone to do anything--fast. New York: Gildan Media.

Pantalon, M. V., & Dixon, W. (2013). Instant influence: How to get anyone to do anything--fast: the only motivational approach scientifically proved to succeed in less than 7 minutes!