Humans are social beings, and connection is a fundamental need. In our mobile-driven culture, focusing on connecting with others is not a luxury, but a necessity. With phones in hand and earbuds in, it sometimes seems like we're more connected to our devices than to each other. What is your role in the relationship between you and others? How do you strengthen your connection with other people?
The first introduction
Maak van een vluchtige kennismaking een bewust moment. Neem de moeite om zijn of haar naam te onthouden en maak echt connectie met iemand. Neem de naam bewust in je op en herhaal die vervolgens. Zeg bijvoorbeeld ‘leuk om met je kennis te maken < naam >’, waarbij je de naam van degene herhaalt. Dan voelt de ander zich meer gezien en gehoord. Een vriendelijke glimlach voegt veel toe.
A Different Perspective
Try to look at a situation from another person's perspective. Imagine yourself in their shoes. Someone might approach an event more from emotion, logic, or action. Does that give you new insights? Can you manage to respect and accept each other, even in your differences? What do you project in your interactions with others? We all have our ingrained habits and old patterns from childhood. How do you think and behave? Do you give yourself and others the space and safety to be themselves?
Genuine attention
Leave your smartphone at home for a few hours and show interest in each other. Create time and space to be present with attention. Listen sincerely so that the other person feels understood and valued. Ask a question and indicate that you would like to understand why something is important to them. Can you listen to what concerns the other person without making the conversation about yourself or starting to talk about yourself? Without immediately offering well-intentioned advice or judgment? What would it be like if you simply put an arm around someone and responded warmly and understandingly?
Occasionally reflect on how you connect with others. Where do you want to make adjustments?
A quick check of your phone turns full attention into divided attention. Hopefully, these tips will create a ripple effect. From a smile to showing genuine interest. By improving one aspect of interaction, we move from disconnection to greater connection with each other!
More tips?
Ans Tuk wrote the book “Enrich Your View”. With this book, you will look at your life from 24 different perspectives and enrich your choices.
