Become more social, become happier, stronger, and more!
How to Become More Social
It is my personal thought in today’s world, to be social is a virtue. If you think about it, all success stems from the social.
For example, much success is to be had when you network, meet investors, build business connections, etc.
Also, assuming that you want to become a personality, start a YouTube channel or blog, etc., being more social is better than being less social.
Experience this
What holds us back?
I think a lot of people are held back by the fear of making other people feel uncomfortable. However let us note, if somebody is uncomfortable by your behavior, that is their problem, not yours. I think it is better to attempt to be insanely friendly, and make somebody feel uncomfortable, rather than not to attempt it at all.
Pragmatic exercises
A very very simple thought is if you want to become more social, one of the best places to go to is the gym. Or you could go to yoga, just sign up for a CorePower membership.
When you’re at the gym, don’t work out with headphones or AirPods on. This will give you the opportunity to talk to more people, and also let other people have the opportunity to talk to you.
Much of our social life is held back by the fact that our social sensors, a.k.a. our eyes in our ears are blocked. Our eyes are blocked by our phones, and our ears are blocked by our headphones or AirPods. If you want to be more social, just keep your phone in your backpack, and also don’t bring headphones to the gym, and also don’t work out with headphones on.
Get loud
Something funny that I have discovered is as I have become more loud, hypelifting at the gym, yelling loud, I attract a lot of attention. And as a result, a lot of people actually come up to me and just start chatting with me. Thus ironically enough, to open up more avenues of social life, get louder.
Also, when you see somebody that you like, somebody you want to talk to, or somebody who is just wearing a cool outfit or accessories, compliment them. Just approach them and compliment them on their clothes, shoes, accessories, look, etc. This can open up an opportunity for you to have a conversation with them.
Joke around
And the reason why I am so social is that I am like a big kid. I like to joke, have fun, be an entertainer and joker. I think a lot of people want to “look cool“, but in fact, that is just a signal of insecurity and lack of self-confidence.
Street confidence
A lot of street photography is confidence in the context of strangers on the streets. There is a silly bias in street photography that you’re not allowed to talk to people. I say it doesn’t matter whether you shoot it with permission or without, it just depends on the situation, what type of photo you want to make, and your mood.
In fact, I believe it actually takes more courage to approach a stranger and ask for permission to make a portrait of them, than to shoot a candid photo of them.
A very very simple way to approach a stranger and ask to make a portrait of them is to approach them, and say, excuse me sir, or excuse me miss, I love your look. Do you mind if I make a portrait of you?
A simple way to build your confidence is approach a bunch of strangers and try to intentionally get rejected 10 times. The STREET NOTES approach // digital.
Only talk to people you are genuinely interested in
A simple thought is let your natural enthusiasm drive you. That means only interact and talk to people and socialize with people that you’re interested in. For example, if you get the sense that somebody has good vibes, just approach them and start talking to them. Tell them that you like their good vibes. I think it is a good idea to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Ask people for their first and last name
If you frequent the gym a lot, or go to yoga, or some other regular fitness activity like CrossFit, etc., get to know peoples names. Ideally their full first and last name. I also find that in order to remember someone’s name, I ask them whether they know somebody famous with the same first name. This just adds a little bit more friction to help you force to remember their name.
Let us remember that there is no sweeter sound than the sound of our own name.
Even my friend Timothy Flanagan tells me, after being a teacher for over 30 years, kids get easily offended if you don’t remember their name, yet they do not realize that a new teacher needs to remember at least 100 names.
Even when I teach workshops, I have actually found that the number one critical thing to build a relationship with your student is to strive with all your strength to remember their name. Ideally their first and last.
Go out.
It is hard to be social if you just stay at home all day. Yet a lot of people want to stay home in order to “save money“. I say, maybe it is a good idea to eat out, go to restaurants, go to the local all you can eat Korean barbecue place in order to socialize with people you can socialize with — waitresses waiters and anybody else you encounter.
Practice
To be social as a practice. I say practice being social every day, all day. Better to make small talk, than to make no talk.
Ask deep questions
Surprisingly enough, one of the best ways to quickly build a rapport with somebody is to ask deep questions. Ask them about their life passions, life goals, etc. 99.9% of the time people will tell you honestly. Go big.
No such thing as failure
Better to attempt to be social, and get strange stares, to be laughed at or ignored than not to attempt it at all!
ERIC
Conquer your fears and meet new peers
What can you become this new year?
New year, new photos
Become more prolific this year!
- Creative everyday // print
- 30 days to jumpstart your photography
- Embark on your own photography adventure workflow
More in HAPTIC SHOP
New year, new confidence.
Shed the old leaves. Become a new, better you!
ERIC
Confidence thoughts
- How to become more confident
- How to become more confident in yourself
- Become more confident through stoicism.
- How to become a demigod vlog // direct video link
Share the confidence!
Feeling more confident? Feel free to forward this to a friend needing a quick pump!
“That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” – Nietzsche