Guideline #2: Communicate as an Artist

Communication is an art as much as it is a science. Therefore, you must, if you want to cultivate the practice of successful communication, look at yourself as an artist.

What is involved in looking at oneself as an artist? For one, an artist is someone who revalues things. He looks at things which are familiar to him and defamiliarizes himself with them. He re-thinks them and their importance in his life. This activity allows him perpetually to gain a new perspective on his life.

Two, an artist articulates. He expresses himself -- his feelings, his identity, his style -- by comparing and contrasting with others. He expresses difference and connection. He understands what makes him unique and what makes him similar to others.

Three, an artist is in love with his art-form. He sees in it many beautiful and worth-while things, things without which he believes people will grow dull. It is the thing he becomes so enthusiastic about whenever it is mentioned, and which he opens himself upto for criticism.

There are probably many more attributes that constitute the artist. These three I find very important in my life. If you have any more, please tell us.