Become an elusive object of desire.  

We are marked by the continual desire to possess what we do not have- the object projected by our fantasies. It’s human nature to desire things we don’t have. Once we’ve obtained that desire, we’re already distracted and looking for something better.  

Nowadays, people see vulnerability and being forthright as a path to truth and honesty. Letting people know all your likes/dislikes, fears and loves, and believing that people should just love you and desire you for who you are. In reality, people want their fantasies to be stimulated. But if you become too familiar, there is no mystery, no room for imagination. People’s interest in you will be paper-thin. Do not follow the moralism of the times, which urges honesty at the expense of desirability.  

3 Strategies for Stimulating Desire

1) Know when and how to withdraw.
Be a little cold. Don’t be too needy. Never be too obvious with your opinions, feelings, values, and tastes. Allow others to create their own picture of you in their imagination. Know when to withdraw- maybe for a day, maybe for a week. Create a sense of mystery around yourself.  

2) Create Rivalries of Desire
What we want almost always reflects what other people want. For example, a man single for 5 years, gets into a relationship, and all of the sudden there will be interest from two other women. Or the child who wants his brother’s new toy. Creating the impression that you, or your work, are desired by others, will attract others. In negotiation tactics, always have another party that is also interested to create a rivalry.

3) Use Induction
Associate yourself with something slightly elicit, unconventional, or defiant. Almost all people desire voyeurism- seeing inside the private lives of others. Give others the impression you’re sharing secrets that shouldn’t be known, or that may create some outrage, but a lot of curiosity.  Those secrets need to be new and exotic. Dangle in front of others what they are most missing in life; what they are forbidden to have, and they will go crazy with desire. Possession doesn’t compel people to act- desire does.

Focus your attention on looking inward- what you truly desire, and then following those desires. Don’t get distracted by what everyone else is chasing, or trying to influence you to follow.  

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My own notes:
This section seems more towards the manipulative, but whether anyone wants to follow the advice, it is probably correct in its assessment of human nature.  

For myself, I want to take note of where this operates in me, and how it might pull my focus and efforts off more important things.