I think most of us innately know that an email, tweet, post or text does not replace connecting with the important people in our life, but boy do we ever love the idea of the digital world and all it supposedly promises.
We push the digital and push the digital and push the digital because it fits so nicely into our schedules — there is no extra time wasted talking about the mundane details of our lives or what is important to us as humans. But when we fill our lives with digital connections, we run the risk of truly breaking important personal connections.
Let’s be clear — digital sharing does not generate connection the same way a face-to-face interaction does. The beauty of the human spirit and the desire for the human heart to truly connect is something we all experience, even if we don’t really want to admit it.
Your personal relationships need more than texts, tweets and emails to be sustained. Your children need to see your face, hear your voice and understand what you are thinking. Your significant other needs to hear that you love them and that you are thinking about them. And, both your customers and your potential customers need to see the white of your eyes to know that you are coming up with solutions that will help them be successful.
None of this can always come across in an email. I attend a lot of seed industry events around the world and it shows heavily on my expense report that I do so, but I can unequivocally say that my business would simply not be what it is today if I was not present at these events. I see a considerable spike in my business when I’m attending these events and I see a corresponding drop when I am not.
I would love to tell you that there is some secret to making connections with people, but it is mostly about putting in the effort — show up, make the connection and be happy about it. Then let your wisdom, great product offering or brand-new idea shine for all to see.
“OUR DEEPEST FEAR IS NOT THAT WE ARE INADEQUATE. OUR DEEPEST FEAR IS THAT WE ARE POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE. IT IS OUR LIGHT, NOT OUR DARKNESS, THAT MOST FRIGHTENS US. YOUR PLAYING SMALL DOES NOT SERVE THE WORLD. THERE IS NOTHING ENLIGHTENED ABOUT SHRINKING SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WON’T FEEL INSECURE AROUND YOU. WE ARE ALL MEANT TO SHINE AS CHILDREN DO. IT’S NOT JUST IN SOME OF US; IT IS IN EVERYONE. AND AS WE LET OUR OWN LIGHTS SHINE, WE UNCONSCIOUSLY GIVE OTHER PEOPLE PERMISSION TO DO THE SAME. AS WE ARE LIBERATED FROM OUR OWN FEAR, OUR PRESENCE AUTOMATICALLY LIBERATES OTHERS.” MARIANNE WILLIAMSON