How the actor behaved influenced the behavior of the other participants in the game.

A rather interesting experiment was conducted some years ago in which an actor played the part of a contestant in a betting game with unwitting participants. Participants knew they were involved with an experiment but had no idea what the experiment was.

Each participant was introduced to the actor as though the actor was another participant. The participant and actor were to compete in a betting card game in which all winnings would be given to the winner.

Bets would be placed up to a maximum level for each “hand” played – the game was played one card at a time – face down – the larger card wins each hand. Neither participant could see the other’s card until after all bets were made.

The interesting part was in how each participant reacted to the actor.

With the first group of participants, the actor acted very confident during the time he was alone in the room with the participant – filling out “paperwork” in preparation for doing the experiment and during the actual play of the game.

Interestingly, this first group of participants always bet LOW – as low as the game allowed. Even normally confident participants would bet low.

With the second group of players, the actor acted submissive during this same time frame – bowing his head and fidgeting in his chair.

This second group always bet HIGH – often as high as the limit. They felt confident that they would beat the actor and tended to take advantage of him.

Why the difference in the behavior of the participants?

Although each participant believed that the actor was one of them, the actor demonstrated quite well that HIS BEHAVIOR AFFECTED THEIR BEHAVIOR. In other words, he taught each participant how to treat him.

We all do this every day of our lives. We teach others how to treat us.

When others treat us “poorly” or “unfairly” or in any way we don’t like, we may be training them to do that.

To take charge of your life and be the empowered actor in your life, you must accept that it is YOU rather than they who CHOOSE HOW THEY ACT in your presence.

Want some help in this area of your life? Refer to L&L Heartway workshops at www.llheartway.com for their Personal Power workshop.

Until you take charge, your life will be at the mercy of the default program – which is what you set up at the beginning of your life and have been living ever since. Do you want to be at the mercy of a newborn infant – yourself? Give it some thought.