Do You Find the Components of Connecting with Others Difficult?

In December 2022, I chose the word ’connect’ as my word of the year for 2023.

I want to connect with people in person and on social media. I want to connect with others through my writing and connect my actions to my purpose.

Connecting on social media requires:

Showing up daily to post content.

Responding to comments on my content.

Reading others’ content.

Commenting on and asking others’ content.

Maintaining the connections you make.

I've increased my efforts in connecting on social media with all the actions above.

I find connecting in person more difficult in new situations and with people I don't know.

In-person connection requires the same components as social media and the following:

Active listening requires being present in the moment, understanding and responding if necessary, and remembering what you hear for the future.

Asking questions first requires being present and listening. If you don’t understand after you have listened, or if you didn’t listen, then you ask. There are other reasons to ask, curiosity, for help, to give help, to learn.

Do you know what I am finding the hardest? Asking.

What about you? Are you challenged in your efforts to connect?

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