I love being with people, and I love my job because of the people I meet and talk to before and after my lectures and the meals we share. I need and crave human connection, but how will we feel connected when we have to stay at home? And how will we feel close when face-to-face meetings are forbidden? And how will we communicate when others don't want to meet with you in person too?
When the coronavirus swept the world, like most entrepreneurs, meeting people in person was no longer available anymore, so we all had to communicate through the Zoom application to walk with the current. Recently, I felt connected to others more than ever, although I did not meet them in person, through several daily practices on the ground and in virtual reality.
9 Ways to Connect With Others in the Virtual World:
1. Avoid multitasking on the phone:
I'm still wondering why we call them phones while we use them for so much more. If you're like me, making phone calls is the last thing I do with a phone. However, when I make a call, I make sure I'm not busy with anything else, like cleaning dishes, texting, or browsing social media. I make sure to stay mentally present. I focus on the call entirely, which makes me feel closer to the person when I hang up.
2. Turn off your phone:
Speaking of phone use, when was the last time we left our phones at home when we ate? And when did we last leave our phones in the car when we went out for a walk? The idea is to put the phone away and enjoy the present moment without disturbing its alerts. Being disconnected from the phone for a while has been a magnificent way for me to connect with myself, nature, my family members, and my close friends.
3. Joining a club or group:
I have always participated in many groups, associations, and clubs. However, although I was a member of these groups, I was not active and informed about all the details; that is, I pay my dues or sign the required papers only. Last year, I had the opportunity and time to participate more in these associations and clubs, which increased my connection to many details of my business.
4. Digital clock disposal:
Don't get me wrong, I'm for using the digital clock when convenient, but do we need it all day? And do we need all the alerts that come out of it? At one point, the clock was a huge distraction, so I bought an “old-fashioned” watch that only showed the time I used during my workouts and picnics. I was careful to turn off all notifications and not connect them to my phone after noticing that the constant little distractions prevented me from feeling truly connected to my surroundings.
5. Writing handwritten letters:
When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? And how did you feel? Probably, those messages made you feel special, as distinctive as receiving a handwritten letter was, but writing one and sending it to someone also makes a lovely impression. This exercise helped me amazingly identify who I really care about in my life and who I want to connect with on a deeper level.
6. Volunteering in community service:
There are many ways now to volunteer without leaving your home. My aunt volunteers on the hotline three hours a week for the local pet shelter, and my mother volunteers once a week to answer calls to her phone. I personally volunteer with a local non-profit organization every week and never leave my home. Being more connected with my society and the actual needs of the people in my area makes me feel deeply connected to the people in my neighborhood.
7. Learning something new:
When was the last time you spent time learning at an academic level? I hadn't sat in a classroom for more than a decade, yet there were so many things I wanted to learn. So, I started studying for my Master's at Bellevue University online and started learning, feeling more motivated to live and continue, and I was always in touch with people who had the same interest in learning something new, talking to my study group every week and learning something that deepened my knowledge and connection to my field of work, which would eventually allow me to help more people.
8. Investing in your mental health:
Leadership positions or entrepreneurs are well aware that entrepreneurship is a daunting, challenging, and ongoing task. We must remember that although our bodies are the best machines on the planet, we must take care of them, which means that we must rest and recharge our energies from time to time. So, my wife and I invested in our mental health through frequent visits to therapists, weekly meditation, and changing our diet. After using the same bedding for 15 years of our marriage, we decided to invest in our comfort and get a new bed to get better sleep.
9. Share a meal with a neighbor:
If it were not for the Coronavirus pandemic, I would not have known my neighbors. We got to know each other by talking through the fence, and exchanged conversations and meals. It is very significant to share meals with others because you will learn about their origins and traditions. For example, I am a vegetarian, but my neighbors love hunting, and they cook the meat they hunt constantly, which makes them very happy. I liked knowing why they love hunting and the joy that meat brings them. Of course, I will not gain anything from that, but my question means a lot to them. We exchange questions, respect each other's eating ways, and share meals. Last week, I got from them the remains of some vegetarian dishes they thought my family would want; This is what I call communication and harmony.
Conclusion:
Both my sister and my aunt were infected with the Coronavirus, and I lost some friends because of the pandemic, and it destroyed my work overnight. However, it also gave me some great things, which made me realize the blessings I have in life and the extent of my communication with those around me. I made sure that I do not need to attend in person all the time, and I can manage my work from anywhere, and add real value and fingerprint in society while I am at home. I feel close to understanding myself and others because I have tried these nine things, and I hope that you also do so.
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