For many of us, our digital lives have taken over the way we make plans with friends and is our main style of communication. When we think about taking a few days off from our smartphone or going without an internet connection, it’s a bit nerve-wrecking and intimidating. Our high-tech world has led us to become high-tech communicators – is that taking over our ability to make old-school style connections? Just like other parts of life, finding a digital and real-life balance is essential. People are still people. We still crave live connections and want to feel what it’s like to talk to each other. Let’s get back to relationship basics for a minute with a healthy reminder of how to put our digital connections aside and find our human voices again.
Digital vs In-Person: Getting the Conversation Started
· Get the convo going. If it’s tough to start a conversation with your team at work or with a group of new friends, ask questions. It’s the easiest way to get people talking.
· Be sincere. When you love the work someone has completed or they look great today – go ahead, pay them a compliment! People feel great when they’re praised – and it just feels good.
· Find common ground. Once you ask some questions, this will be simple. Maybe you both have a dog or children – or even both!
What do you think? Can you put down the keyboard in 2014 and aim for more, person-to-person live connections?
