Any chance you get at meeting people face-to-face, just do it and accept the opportunity. This is so valuable because it allows us to connect and learn about the people we meet and vice versa. If we are ever so lucky, we can learn about their needs, dreams, fears, and hopes. Being able to see the person in front of you, their facial expressions and hearing their tone of voice is a great opportunity. It speaks volumes.
The less we meet up, the less confident we become, and yes, we can lose touch of our human nature. Imagine if we do not ever get out and hike in the woods. What will happen? When we do not go out and meet people and invest in our friends and community, we become less aware of our body language and fail at picking up social queues. It is like a dance. Getting out and meeting people is taking the step on the dance floor. This dance shows a level of trust and interest in the world.
What type of work do you want to pursue? What are your dreams and hopes? What does it take to show I care? The act of showing interest is a conversation waiting to be had. For instance, if we are going to go into sales, cultivating relationships with people is necessary. When it comes to building new relationships, the foundation matters, showing up sends a message of trust, respect, and interest. If you go out and meet the person you are selling your product to, you are showing them that you are interested in doing business with them. You are communicating that you believe in them, you are sending a message that you care, and this matters so much. Not only that, this product is one that is needed because you have developed a trust with people who have worked in the trenches to share to you that they need this service or solution (you fill in the blank). It is not from the top down. It is from people who are actually working or using the product. Treat people with dignity and respect.
I am aware that I sound like a stream of consciousness (I have vast experience in this, I am laughing at myself), but people are essential. Needs and solutions are inspired by talking to people face to face and in the trenches. I will speak about the products in my later blog post. Right now, I am saying this. Go out and create relationships in the world face-to-face. Listen to people. Open yourself to the possibility of making something greater than yourself. Trust. Look inward and see how you communicate. By going out, you see it is all right. We are all people who have wants, dreams, needs, fears, and hopes. These are windows of opportunity to create something together.
In this device-dependent world, voice and face-to-face interactions are genuinely a higher currency. Showing up takes effort. It is easy to send an email and text. Trust is a currency. Trusting is priceless. Making assumptions and getting in the mindset of negativity does not serve its purpose but put us in a comfort zone of misery and frustration. Love is energy. It is really amazing when we hear that love is patient and that love is kind. The act of respect is compassionate, courageous, and has a rippling effect. When you trust, it shows in the body language. Within trusting, you take risks. Let's not underestimate the power of the human spirit and energy. You got this.
I recently found this insightful Linkedin Learning video about Body Language. If you ever wonder about the energy you project, here's a start. There once was a young woman who got so annoyed about being told that she looked closed off because of her hands being crossed while someone was talking to them. Her old boyfriend gave made a copy of a video on body language. Who do you think that young lady was? Hahaha. Have fun learning more about body language.