“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
First, let’s include women in the above quote, as well as ten years mere study of the internet?
One of the many principles I teach in my book “Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest” is to connect with others anywhere and everywhere because you never know who is around you, what they know and who they know.
In a very social-media/smart-phone society, it’s easy to get so caught up in the electronic connections in our hand that we don’t hold that same hand out to meet someone sitting right beside us at the coffee shop.
Yet, when we do, we can be amazed at what the Universe brings us: someone in a field in which we needed information; a contact into a company or potential client; a fellow hobby enthusiast; a possible business or life partner; a new friend; etc.
Often, when we finally get clear and set our sites on something we want in life, little do we realize that we actually put out an invisible request into the ethers…to which we get responses in quick and uncanny ways.
The big hump to get over, for some, is how to initiate that social contact when everyone’s head is down into their text, pad or laptop. Yet, if you don’t find a reason to get talking, then they, all they know, and all that they are connected to simply doesn’t get tapped into.
What are they wearing that you notice? What’s a compliment you can give based on their appearance? What’s a state of the environment you can comment on (“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”)? What piece of technology is in their hand that you can ask about (“Is that the new iPhone?”)?
It’s worth it to work the muscle of old-fashioned conversation. You never know who is being put in your way to help make your day.
Got contact?
With synchronicity, all the resources we need are made available for us at the precise moment that is appropriate. The people who come into our lives are the ones we need at that moment in time. Everything is perfect. We only need to recognize this to tune into the flow. Everything happens for a reason and every experience is a learning experience.” –Alex Chu
DARRELL W. GURNEY, Executive/ Career Coach and 20-year recruiting veteran, supports people at all levels to make fulfilling and profitable career transitions. His first book, Headhunters Revealed! Career Secrets for Choosing and Using Professional Recruiters, was winner of the Clarion Award for Best Book by the Association for Women in Communications and was reviewed in Publishers Weekly. His newest book, Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest, has been endorsed by bestselling thought leaders such as Harvey Mackay, Keith Ferrazzi, and Dr. Ivan Misner. A personal and business brand strategist, Darrell’s Stealth Method of networking has helped folks expand their reach within both careers and new client circles. He speaks, leads workshops, and is a media expert on subjects such as recruiting, networking, and finding one’s passion. He was recently named Networking Expert for BeyondB-School.com and offers webinars and programs that get MBA students and working professionals out, connected, and landed.
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