Your smile has value. Sure, there's some degree of superficiality in that statement, but it's a reality. Your smile affects the way people view you, treat you, and respond to you. It affects your work life, your life at home, and many interactions you have throughout the day.
If you aren't showing off your smile with confidence, the great news is that there are many cosmetic dentistry treatments that can help you attain a smile you'll love to share. Because we believe so strongly in the transformative effects cosmetic dentistry can have for many people, we decided to dedicate this week's post to sharing Dale Carnegie's perspective on a person's smile.
Dale Carnegie's best-selling book How to Win Friends & Influence People is one of the best self-help books ever published. It was first printed in 1936 and has sold about 15 million copies. If you've never read it, I highly recommend it. There is something in it for just about everyone. Dale Carnegie thought that a person's smile was so important to his or her success that he dedicated an entire chapter to it.
Charles Schwab's Million Dollar Smile
In his book, Dale Carnegie shares a story about first impressions. Upon meeting legendary investor and businessman Charles Schwab, he says, "Charles Schwab told me his smile had been worth a million dollars. And he was probably understating the truth. For Schwab's personality, his charm, his ability to make people like him, were almost wholly responsible for his extraordinary success; and one of the most delightful factors in his personality was his captivating smile."
The New York Department Store
Carnegie shares another anecdote in his chapter about smiling that explains many truths about how the simple act of showing your smile off can help you sell yourself. He tells the story of a New York department store manager that says she would, "rather hire a sales clerk who hadn't finished grade school, if he or she has a pleasant smile, than to hire a doctor of philosophy with a somber face."
The Stockbroker's Smile
Carnegie ran a social experiment with businesspeople and challenged them to smile more in their professional and personal lives. When he asked participants about the results, a stockbroker said, "I soon found that everybody was smiling back at me. I treat those who come to me with complaints or grievances in a cheerful manner. I smile as I listen to them and I find that adjustments are accomplished much easier. I find that smiles are bringing me dollars, many dollars every day."
Are You Sharing Your Best Smile?
If you've ever considered seeking out a cosmetic dentist, I urge you to use our smile analysis feature on our website. It can help you identify which areas you'd like to treat with cosmetic dentistry.
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