Most people hesitate to say hello – or smile – when they see someone unfamiliar. Why do we hesitate to greet a stranger?If you greet a stranger with a smile or a ‘hello’, there’s a 98% chance that she or he will smile back and say hello. Both of you will probably feel better having exchanged smiles. And who knows, it might open a surprise door.But there’s a 2% chance that the person will snub you. Not smile back. Look the other way. Make you feel sheepish. Look stupid even. That’s only a 2% probability of that happening – but the fear of looking stupid, stops us from saying hello, and smiling.

2:98 Rule

And it’s not just about strangers and elevators. It’s about life. Asking for favours, switching jobs, making investments, chasing your dreams. Focus on the 98% probability of things going right. Not the 2% risk of failure. Give yourself the chance to win in the game of life.

When To Apply The Rule

<figure><img src="https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D12AQFzUjy_pLue3Q/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/0/1641641039796?e=1647475200&amp;v=beta&amp;t=7VBDHmaE9j3pMP4Q7p4zDN_l6k8zbfPvzCmUOv-ZW0Y" alt="" width="744" height="400"></figure><h3>
 
 Prakash Iyer
 
 </h3><h4>
 
 Leadership Trainer | Motivational Speaker | Best selling Author | Former CEO |
Helping Unleash the Leader Within
 
 </h4><div>
 
 
 Published Jan 8, 2022
 
 
 </div>The elevator door opens to let you in. And as you enter the lift, you see an unfamiliar face inside. What do you do?Do you smile, greet the person and say hello?Or do you avoid eye contact, ignore the person, and whip out your phone so you have something else to stare at?Most people hesitate to say hello – or smile – when they see someone unfamiliar. Most times. Heck, we are all like that. But why? Why do we hesitate to greet a stranger?The answer might lie in the 2:98 rule.If you greet a stranger with a smile or a ‘hello’, there’s a 98% chance that she or he will smile back and say hello. Both of you will probably feel better having exchanged smiles. And who knows, maybe it might spark a conversation or reveal an unexpected connection. Open a surprise door.But there’s a 2% chance that the person will snub you. Not smile back. Look the other way. Make you feel sheepish. Look stupid even. That’s only a 2% probability of that happening – but the fear of looking stupid, stops us from saying hello, and smiling.We are all like that. Our lives tend to be driven by the desperate desire to avoid the low probability of things going wrong. Rather than embracing the high probability of finding opportunity and joy. Maybe we all need to flip the switch in our heads. Live for the 98% stuff. Not the 2% what-if situations.Expect good. The odds are stacked in your favour anyways. Live your life expecting that things will go well. Not in the fear that things might just go wrong.And it’s not just about strangers and elevators. It’s about life. Asking for favours, switching jobs, making investments, chasing your dreams. Focus on the 98% probability of things going right. Not the 2% risk of failure. Give yourself the chance to win in the game of life.Next time you see an unfamiliar face in the lift, smile. Say hello!<img alt="">

Realizing that fear and possibilities are 2 sides of the same coin. We tend to be risk averse and tend to focus more on fear. This is a reminder to flip the script in our heads. Use the 2:98 rule.

The elevator door opens to let you in. And as you enter the lift, you see an unfamiliar face inside.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

communication

Communication

Leadership Trainer | Motivational Speaker | Best selling Author | Former CEO | Helping Unleash the Leader Within

The elevator door opens to let you in. And as you enter the lift, you see an unfamiliar face inside. What do you do?

Do you smile, greet the person and say hello?

Or do you avoid eye contact, ignore the person, and whip out your phone so you have something else to stare at?

Most people hesitate to say hello – or smile – when they see someone unfamiliar. Most times. Heck, we are all like that. But why? Why do we hesitate to greet a stranger?

The answer might lie in the 2:98 rule.

If you greet a stranger with a smile or a ‘hello’, there’s a 98% chance that she or he will smile back and say hello. Both of you will probably feel better having exchanged smiles. And who knows, maybe it might spark a conversation or reveal an unexpected connection. Open a surprise door.

But there’s a 2% chance that the person will snub you. Not smile back. Look the other way. Make you feel sheepish. Look stupid even. That’s only a 2% probability of that happening – but the fear of looking stupid, stops us from saying hello, and smiling.

We are all like that. Our lives tend to be driven by the desperate desire to avoid the low probability of things going wrong. Rather than embracing the high probability of finding opportunity and joy.

Maybe we all need to flip the switch in our heads. Live for the 98% stuff. Not the 2% what-if situations.

Expect good. The odds are stacked in your favour anyways. Live your life expecting that things will go well. Not in the fear that things might just go wrong.

And it’s not just about strangers and elevators. It’s about life. Asking for favours, switching jobs, making investments, chasing your dreams. Focus on the 98% probability of things going right. Not the 2% risk of failure. Give yourself the chance to win in the game of life.

Next time you see an unfamiliar face in the lift, smile. Say hello!

The 2:98 Rule. Which side are you on?

2:98 Rule

When To Apply The Rule

Sekhar Sahu's ideas are part of this journey:

Related collections

Similar ideas