Don't Fool Yourself

No one pays attention until you give them a reason to pay attention

Photo by Štefan Štefančík on Unsplash

This month in The POND and Ripple Connect + Grow Coaching our Deep Dive is about “Mindful Rippling.”

By now you have probably learned a few simple ways to bring more mindfulness to your life. Notice your breathing, find stillness, slow down, be present. But how can we bring more mindfulness to our relationships?

We all want to be noticed in life. We long for someone to recognize us for something. A good smile. A job well done. Our marvelous taste in music.

When people notice and take the time to truly connect and acknowledge us, magic happens. We feel special.

To be seen by another person is one of the most intoxicating things we can experience as a human being. There’s plenty of research and actual science behind this too. The dopamine hit we receive when we are recognized by someone for anything positive gives us the highest of highs. Our body and soul actually crave it.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen nearly enough.

Since the dawn of the internet and social media, we tend to default to jumping online where, in my humble opinion, meaningful connection goes to die a slow, painful death. We live vicariously by scrolling through other people’s sanitized existence and yet wonder why we feel more lonely and unfulfilled than ever.

Here’s the deal.

If having meaningful connection with people is important to you, then you must find more ways to make it happen in real life. Talk to that stranger at the market. Befriend the neighbor next door. Ask that LinkedIn connection out for coffee.

Life is about experience.

You have to make an experience HAPPEN in order for someone to want to have one with you. And when you do, when you show up with your awesome, authentic, badass self, just see what happens.

Because so few do this, you will, without question, stand out. You’ll be noticed. And you’ll give someone a reason to want to do it again.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is simple. Slow down. Connect mindfully. Give people a reason to pay attention by paying attention to them first. Their dopamine-craved minds will thank you for it.

Ripple On!!!