Connection > Convenience

Life is not about convenience.

It's about connection. 

Yet, we live in a world where convenience is key and connection can feel elusive.

The fastest way to build deep social bonds is through face-to-face conversation. 

While social media and texting certainly have their benefits, we musn’t neglect the power of human contact.

In-person interactions, establishing rapport, and striking up conversations all require a certain degree of speaking comfort & confidence. 

Well, we can’t increase our speaking comfort if we don’t actually...speak.

To actual people.

For this cause, texting and emails don’t count.

Therefore, I invite you to take the

Connection Over Convenience

Challenge!

HOW IT WORKS:

This week, swap one of your modern conveniences with an opportunity for human interaction.

For example… 

1. Instead of using self-checkout at the grocery store, let the cashier help you. Ask how their day is going.

2. Forget UberEats and go to the restaurant. Dine-in or take-out. Smile at the wait staff and thank them earnestly.

3. Go to a group workout class instead of using your fitness app. Compliment the instructor if you enjoy it.

4. Take a trip to the mall instead of ordering on Amazon. Even better, invite a friend to join!

5. Rather than “liking” your friend’s photo from Thailand, call and ask to hear highlights from their trip. 

If any of these sound scary to you, or if you’re thinking, “That's cute, but not gonna happen,” then you will benefit tremendously from seeing it through!

Take each experience as a small opportunity to practice your speaking skills and increase your comfort in any environment.

At worst?  You have a little less time for Netflix today.

At best?  You make the cashier's day, make a new friend, meet your soulmate, improve your confidence, and/or release feel-good neurotransmitters associated with social interaction.  

Let me know how it goes! And if this feels particularly troubling, contact me for personal guidance.