Everyone craves connection. As a child, the majority of us grew up with our parents giving us some sort of recognition every time we did something right and correcting us when we did something wrong. The human race needs positive contact but on different doses. I personally enjoy a tap on the back once in a while and I crave customers or team members telling me how well I’m doing or just how great I’m treating them, but I don’t crave this daily; while others crave this often. Everyone remembers laughing at the class clown, and no matter how often the teacher told him to stop, he craved the attention and continued. He gobbled laughter, high fives and fed himself from the annoyed teacher. Yes, he craved connection, more so than the majority of us. (Good chance he or she is now a great Sales Representative today).

Connection with people should become a way of life. I’m sure during a morning walk or jog, you’ve crossed someone practicing the same activity as you. Try saying hello or waving, I guaranty you will make their day and they in return might do the same to someone else crossing their path. Acknowledging an old colleague or high school friend in a mall, telling them how much you’ve missed them, how much they made you laugh or how much they have influenced you will make them feel like a million dollars and it costs absolutely nothing. Now reverse the roles, and have someone tell you just how much your presence changed their lives in a positive matter and you will walk away from this conversation feeling great, like a million dollars!

Tomorrow morning, I want you to wake up thirty minutes before you normally do, get some sweat pants and a t-shirt on and go for a walk. Wave to at least one person and pay attention to their reaction. You will then go to work and continue by acknowledging people around you, engage with them, but most importantly listen to them. You will also praise at least one person or colleague and tell them how great they are and how important you think they are to your team. Again, take a mental note of the reactions obtained.

This has become a way of life to me, but I will do as I preach and take notes. I’ll share these notes with you on my next Blog post for you to compare. I’m sure; the reactions I took note of will be very similar to the ones you took note of. And most importantly, you will fell like a greater person knowing you’ve influenced so many people around you and made them feel GREAT about themselves.

Eric

(Source: belecnet.com)