Tipping Love Your Way

A highlight of my every visit to Manila is the new books readily available from my sister’s bookshelf. On my last visit, I brought home with me Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point.

Gladwell defined the tipping point as that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. He presented that the best way to understand the emergence of fashion trends, crime waves, the transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or any number of other mysterious changes that mark everyday life is to think of them as epidemics. He then gave the following 3 rules to help understand how epidemics happen. Early on the chapters, although not mentioned in the book, I couldn’t help but relate the rules to the romantic kind of epidemic we call love. Learn the rules and you might just tip love your way. ^^

Rule no. 1: The Law of the Few
Generally, the rule states that the success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of a few people with a particular and rare set of social gifts.

This is where close friends/relatives apply. Find out who among his/her circle have the most influence on him/her. Earn their vote and you will be one step closer to your goal.

More importantly, this rule states that it is important to befriend the person first. Persuading someone is easier when you are already in his/her circle of influence.

Possessing above average looks and a good personality is a plus. Remember that good grooming is a skill that can be acquired. ^^

Rule no. 2: The Stickiness Factor
While the first rule talked about the importance of the messenger, the Stickiness Factor elaborates the importance of the message, particularly on how “sticky” the message is. Is the message memorable?

Apparently, there are ways to enhance the stickiness of a message. Some mentioned in the book were repetitiveness, clarity & conciseness, and the structure and format of the message.

It is then important to make your intentions clear, to deliver your message truthfully, and most important of all, to persevere and never give up. There is a maxim in the advertising world that an advertisement has to be seen at least six times before it can be remembered. So never give up! The next time might just do the trick.

Rule no. 3: The Power of Context
The Power of Context states that epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which they occur.

This rule emphasizes the importance of setting the right mood and environment. It would then help your cause if you surround the person with things that he/she relates to love. This could be bouquets of roses, chocolates, teddy bears, candlelit dinners, picnics at the park, or simply being around people who are in love.

I hope these rules can help you in your quest for love.

As a last note, remember though that love, like all other epidemics, can fall as quickly as it has risen. Therefore, decide to love and keep infecting each other.

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