This article explores Law 34, Be Royal In Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to be Treated Like One, from the 48 Laws of Power book. Ever feel like you’re not getting the respect and attention you should? Are you tired of being treated like just one of the crowd?
It can be frustrating when people don’t give you the recognition you’ve earned or take your opinions seriously just because of how you come across.
Get ready to discover the secrets to acting like a true king or queen and getting the respect you deserve. By carrying yourself with confidence and regal poise, you can inspire others to recognize your worth and create an aura of power that demands attention.
In this article, you’ll learn how to project an image of self-respect and confidence that shapes how others perceive and treat you. Embrace your inner ruler, and you’ll pave the way to a life where people treat you like royalty.
Law 34: Be Royal In Your Own Fashion: Act Like A King To Be Treated Like One
The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated: In the long run, appearing vulgar or common will make people disrespect you. For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others. By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown.
Robert Greene
Table of Contents
From High Hopes to Low Expectations: How We Change as We Grow Up
As kids, we start our lives super excited, thinking the world owes us everything. That attitude often sticks around as we take our first steps into the big world of careers and grown-up stuff.
But here’s the deal: As we age, we bump into disappointments and setbacks that build walls around us. These walls get thicker over time. We stop expecting big things from the world, and instead, we start setting limits on ourselves.
We begin to act humble and apologetic, even when we want the simplest things. So, what’s the deal with that?
The Strategy of the Crown: How to Get What You Want by Thinking Big
Ever felt like your world was getting smaller and smaller as you grew up? Here’s a game-changing idea: What if we flipped the script?
The secret sauce is to do the opposite – forget about the letdowns and ditch those self-imposed limits. Instead, act like a kid again and demand the universe to give you what you want, just like a child does.
Let’s call this the “Strategy of the Crown,” which works like magic. Here’s the deal: When you genuinely believe you’re destined for greatness, that confidence will shine like a crown, creating an aura people can’t resist.
They’ll see your confidence and think, “Wow, this person must have a reason to be so sure of themselves!” And guess what? You’ll find that limits and boundaries vanish when you act like you’re wearing that crown.
Give it a shot, and you’ll be amazed at how often it pays off. Think about those cheerful kids who ask for anything and get it. Their high expectations are their superpower.
The Royal Key: How to Make Your Self-Belief Work for You
Here’s the simple trick: Let your self-belief take over. Even if you know you’re tricking yourself, embrace it and act like royalty. Chances are, people will treat you that way.
Having that crown might set you apart from the crowd, but it’s up to you to make that separation real. You have to switch up your game and show that you’re different from the folks around you.
One powerful way to do this is by always keeping your dignity intact, no matter what happens.
Confidence vs. Arrogance: The Royal Guide
Let’s clarify: Acting like royalty doesn’t mean being arrogant. Arrogance might seem like something a king or queen could get away with. Still, it’s a telltale sign of insecurity. It’s the complete opposite of a regal attitude.
So, remember, if you want to rock that royal vibe, leave the arrogance behind and focus on genuine confidence.
How the Royal Act Can Lead to Deception
A royal attitude has perks beyond just feeling like a king or queen. Con artists have been onto this for ages. They’ve known that playing the part of aristocracy can work wonders.
Why? It’s like a Jedi mind trick: It either disarms people and makes them less suspicious or intimidates them, putting them on the defensive. And as Count Victor Lustig (famous con artist) figured out, once you’ve got someone on the ropes, they’re pretty much done for.
Another legendary con artist, Yellow Kid Weil, was a pro at this game. He’d strut around like a wealthy tycoon, oozing confidence and acting like he had some magical money-making method up his sleeve.
The result? People would practically beg to be part of his schemes, thinking they’d get a shot at that wealth he seemed to flaunt effortlessly!
Unleash Your Inner Majesty: Pro Tips to Act Like Royalty in Style
Want to master the art of projecting royal confidence? Here’s the scoop on some savvy strategies to make it happen.
The Columbus Strategy: When you want something, don’t hold back! Go all in with a bold demand and stand your ground. No flip-flopping allowed! Think of it as setting your value high and not budging an inch.
Here’s a golden rule: You can decide your worth. If you ask for less, that’s what you’ll get. But if you aim higher and ask for more, it’s like saying, “I’m worth a lot!”
Even if some people say no, they’ll still respect you for being so confident. And that respect can lead to excellent opportunities you might not even imagine. So, don’t be shy – shoot for the stars.
The David and Goliath Approach: Gracefully target the big shots. Approach the highest-ranking person in the room with dignity and poise; suddenly, you’re on their level. It’s like the tale of David and Goliath. You shine as a formidable force by taking on a tough opponent.
The Gift-Giving Gambit: Looking to establish yourself as an equal? Present a thoughtful gift. This move is a classic trick used by those with patrons. When you offer a gift, you say, “We’re on the same playing field!” It’s like a clever con game where giving a little can lead to getting a lot.
Imagine this: A long time ago, there was a writer named Pietro Aretino. He wanted the Duke of Mantua to be his supporter. But he knew he couldn’t act weird and overly friendly to the duke. That would make the duke think he wasn’t worth his time!
So, here’s what Aretino did: He gave the duke some beautiful paintings made by his friend Titian. The duke accepted these presents, and suddenly, they felt like equals. It was like saying, “Hey, we’re both important people!” The duke was comfy and gave Aretino lots of money to help him.
This gift trick is super smart because it’s not about begging for stuff; it’s about asking for help in a way that makes both people feel equal. One person might have more money, but that doesn’t mean they’re better.
The Power of the Crown: Wear It Like a Boss
Let’s talk about the literal crown. When you put that thing on your head, it’s like an instant transformation. You become this calm, super-confident version of yourself.
Here’s the deal: When you wear the crown, you can’t show doubt, and you’ve got to keep your dignity intact. If you don’t, it won’t fit right and look like it’s meant for someone more deserving.
And here’s the kicker: You don’t have to wait for some fancy ceremony to crown yourself. The most extraordinary emperors just put the crown on their heads. So, remember, when you wear the crown, wear it with confidence and grace – it’s your symbol of greatness.
Striking the Right Balance: The Art of Regal Confidence
Here’s the thing about acting with regal confidence: It’s about standing out from the crowd, but you’ve got to be careful not to overdo it.
Never fall into the trap of thinking that you become better by putting others down – that’s a big no-no! Also, don’t soar too high above everyone else; that makes you an easy target.
And here’s a heads-up: Sometimes, acting fancy and aristocratic can be risky. So, keep your confidence in check and find that sweet spot of being regal without going overboard.
Christopher Columbus: The Confidence that Changed History
In the days of grand adventures, Christopher Columbus had a clever trick. He wanted money for his enormous voyages, so he pretended to be from a fancy Italian family, even though he wasn’t.
Columbus made up this story because he believed he was meant for greatness. He acted like he was born in a castle, just like the rich people. This trick helped him marry into a wealthy Lisbon family, which connected him to important Portuguese people.
His first pitch to Portugal didn’t work, but Columbus noticed something important: the king took his requests seriously. This made Columbus feel confident that he could ask for even more.
After moving to Spain, Columbus kept asking for support for his journey. Finally, in 1492, Queen Isabella agreed to pay for his trip and gave him the important titles and rights he wanted.
Columbus wasn’t the best sailor, but was great at making people like him. He acted confident and calm, like the important people of his time. He acted like he was meant to be a king.
The lesson here is simple: You can decide your worth. How you act shows what you think of yourself. If you act small and unsure, people will treat you that way. But if you act like Columbus did—confident and believing you deserve great things—you might discover your amazing adventures.