An interesting experience from last evening. Attending my most recent high school reunion, I mainly showed up to see a couple of old friends. Upon arrival, I looked around and realized two things -- I didn't recognize most of the people there; and those that I did I didn't have an interest in chatting with.
Then, a funny thing happened, I realized a number of people were in the same boat, scratching their heads at who these people were. I had a couple of very good conversations with an Accenture Consultant who had travelled to some of the same countries as I have recently; as well as someone I did recognize but never spoke much with who has a startup doing pretty well in the mobile space.
My takeaway -- when thrown into a big group, especially one with certain baggage attached, it is best to just let go and take the time to chat. A simple hello, how are you, what do you do/what have you been up to, only takes a few minutes. In most cases, it might be considered a "waste of time" but there will be moments where something unexpected comes about.
Furthermore, if you are like me -- someone who tends to prefer the intimate/known to vast wilderness -- it might do you some good to branch out.
To see old friends, that you may have lost touch with. And unfortunately to compare themselves with others. But fortunately, this could be a great opportunity to make new friends based on some commonality and sharing where they are in life.
Johnny has it right -- to reconnect with people you haven't seen in awhile. It provides a good venue to meet with multiple such people. In fact, I wasn't going to go until an old friend asked me to and a couple of other people I wanted to see were going.
It doesn't hurt to get out and be social now and then, even if the overall group is not one you really care to see.
Comments
An interesting experience from last evening. Attending my most recent high school reunion, I mainly showed up to see a couple of old friends. Upon arrival, I looked around and realized two things -- I didn't recognize most of the people there; and those that I did I didn't have an interest in chatting with.
Then, a funny thing happened, I realized a number of people were in the same boat, scratching their heads at who these people were. I had a couple of very good conversations with an Accenture Consultant who had travelled to some of the same countries as I have recently; as well as someone I did recognize but never spoke much with who has a startup doing pretty well in the mobile space.
My takeaway -- when thrown into a big group, especially one with certain baggage attached, it is best to just let go and take the time to chat. A simple hello, how are you, what do you do/what have you been up to, only takes a few minutes. In most cases, it might be considered a "waste of time" but there will be moments where something unexpected comes about.
Furthermore, if you are like me -- someone who tends to prefer the intimate/known to vast wilderness -- it might do you some good to branch out.
Curious, why exactly do people attend high school reunions?
To see old friends, that you may have lost touch with. And unfortunately to compare themselves with others. But fortunately, this could be a great opportunity to make new friends based on some commonality and sharing where they are in life.
Johnny has it right -- to reconnect with people you haven't seen in awhile. It provides a good venue to meet with multiple such people. In fact, I wasn't going to go until an old friend asked me to and a couple of other people I wanted to see were going.
It doesn't hurt to get out and be social now and then, even if the overall group is not one you really care to see.