The Where and How of  Connecting with New People

Connecting with others is like happiness vitamin C. It is vital to our overall psychological well being. Expanding our social circle can be difficult as adults  but here are some ways to make new connections with people:

• Join Meet Up to find people with similar interests
• Attend a Spiritual Organization’s event
• Take a Community Ed or University Class
• Join a Book Club
• Take your dog to the dog park
• Invite your neighbors over for an informal meet and greet.
• Join a GameDay League.
• Join Toastmasters
• Go to a Yoga or rock climbing class
• Join a gym
• Take a class from a local business (Bank, Glass Fusion, Glass Blowing)
• Go to a business networking event

It can be scary to step outside your comfort zone to meet new people, especially if you tend to be shy but it will be worth it. Some tips when meeting new people:

• Listen to what they are saying and paraphrase what they are telling you. This gives them permission to further expand on their thoughts. Remember how good it feels when someone really listens to you.
• Fake it ‘til you make it! or as Gretchen Rubin says in her book The Happiness Project, act the way you want to feel. People like to be around happy people having fun. Act like that person until you become that person.
• Have an “elevator speech” prepared so when you meet someone you don’t fumble over what to say. End it with a question to get them talking to you.
• Don’t have any expectations! Go out and see what happens. When we expect a specific result we can be disappointed when it doesn’t work out the way we planned and we miss what did happen.

Connection increases happiness. You’ll be happy you took the risk of meeting new people.