>Today, I accomplished a large goal. I got out of the house. And it wasn’t for work or to visit family, but to be social with complete and quasi-strangers compliments of the Social Media Club Sacramento. Lately, the internet helps me overcome my hermit tendencies. It’s sort of ironic because people who use the internet are frequently characterized as shy, shut-in types. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…I thoroughly enjoy being a shut-in once in a while.
I did use a technique tonight once tweeted by @PeevedMichelle. When she was at SXSW she said that she was going to make eye contact with people until someone came up and talked to her. It worked for her and it worked for me.
I am totally afraid of making eye contact. Are most people like this? Maybe it’s the power of it that scares me…maybe I just don’t like most people, but tonight I was determined to try it out and overcome my fear. It was strangely easy. I had no real agenda other than to see if I someone would talk to me.
Of course, my conversation skills can always use some work. I never know what the hell I’m talking about when I’m speaking. When I’m at work, I do try to think about what I’m going to say before my voice escapes from my lips. When I’m in a social setting, I seem to suffer from verbal diarrhea. I just need more practice being social, which is why I’m looking forward to the SacTweetup this week.
I’m glad I went out and made some eye contact. I met some really cool people, reconnected with acquaintances and had a good time.
>It was nice to meet you last week. My "trick" is to launch myself upon unsuspecting people, announce that I know no one at an event and then interrogate them about what they do. Your eye contact trick sounds a little less abrasive. 🙂