{"id":4629,"date":"2021-11-19T01:33:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T01:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quietbrillianceconsulting.com\/?p=4629"},"modified":"2021-11-19T01:34:34","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T01:34:34","slug":"reconnecting-after-social-distancing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quietbrillianceconsulting.com\/reconnecting-after-social-distancing\/","title":{"rendered":"Reconnecting After Social Distancing"},"content":{"rendered":"
Reconnecting after social distancing is a little like being a hibernating animal, emerging sleepy-eyed from the den, to discover a new Spring.<\/span><\/p>\n Except that, instead of slumbering, we have been experiencing loss after loss: of work, of meeting with others, of familiar loved places. It\u2019s not surprising if we feel a little apprehension over discarding our T-shirts and pajama bottoms to emerge into the social scene once more.<\/span><\/p>\n I wrote an article a couple of years ago called \u201cNetworking is a Life Skill,\u201d meant to help those who had immersed themselves so much in their work that they had forgotten how to connect. In it, I reminded people that we all need to use our social connection skills all the time, not just to get a better job, in order to remain resilient in the face of change.<\/span><\/p>\n That time has come, and some of my guidelines have changed.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some points on the roadmap to more successful connecting<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Be Spontaneous:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We all have a library of mental \u201cfilters\u201d we use to exclude others: \u201cShe doesn\u2019t look worth talking to,\u201d \u201cHe doesn\u2019t look approachable,\u201d etc.<\/span><\/p>\n Be honest: did your filters serve you well before the pandemic? Were you meeting interesting people who were interested in you? <\/span><\/p>\n A few weeks ago I saw a man on my front sidewalk, looking at my house. He said he was admiring it, a 137-year-old Victorian. I told him I was going to rent out the loft. Because it was much on my mind, I spontaneously added that I wanted to find someone with technological skills with whom I could do a swap: rent for help. He wasn\u2019t looking to rent, but he had the skills, and I now have a new much-needed technical assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n In another instance, at a Fair, I spontaneously said to someone I had just met that I was looking for speaking opportunities, and bang! He offered me one.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Be Kind:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I recall the numerous business meetings and conferences I used to attend, where you would see small clusters of people who obviously knew one another well, clustered in a tight circle, with their backs turned to the rest of the room. <\/span><\/p>\n But it\u2019s a new world into which we are emerging, and I hope, a kinder one.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are at any gathering and see someone hovering at the edge, looking a little uncertain, be the person who goes over greets and tries to find out more about this person whom you\u2019ve ever met before.<\/span><\/p>\n And don\u2019t be afraid to go over to that tight cluster, stick your head in, and say, \u201cHello. Got room for one more person?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Be Appreciative:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When talking to someone else, try mightily to find something positive to say to him or her, whether it\u2019s about appearance or some bit of information they share with you.<\/span><\/p>\n Share your appreciation for every small kindness, every bit of thoughtfulness others show.<\/span><\/p>\n Spread \u201cthank you\u201d around as if it were magic fertilizer. It is.<\/span><\/p>\n In other words, learn to set your ego aside and be truly interested in others. The rewards are rich: you will attract the same kind of behavior while having the satisfaction of seeing society around you become more compassionate.<\/span><\/p>\n To have a rich social life:<\/span><\/p>\n Be Spontaneous <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Be Kind <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Be Appreciative<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Be amazed<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you want to have amazing connections? Get the tools to do just that:<\/span> <\/p>\n
\nJoin Sunday Connections<\/strong><\/a> to find out how best to connect with the authentic you, the people around you, and the people you have yet to meet.<\/span><\/p>\n