Prior to the pandemic an ever-shrinking world was evolving behind the digital curtain. Phone conversations were replaced by texts, while texts were replaced by likes and emojis.
Post-pandemic we saw this accelerate through Zoom meetings and virtual relationships. Working from home created even greater separation within our traditional workplaces.
So many people from all walks of life have commented to me on the reduction, or even absence of human connection. Social catch ups, work meetings, business development meetings and general interaction in person have dramatically reduced.
It got me thinking on how we stay connected.
Us humans fundamentally are herd animals.
How do we stay connected in an ever-increasing virtual world?
Be Curious
The starting point is to always remain curious.
In being curious, we tap into our inner child where we want to experience activities.
To optimize communication in a shrinking world, I don’t differentiate our private and business lives.
I always start by separating what I have termed ‘below the line activity’ and ‘above the line activity’.
Below the line activity
Think of below the line activity as below the waterline.
Invisible.
Below the line activities include:
Email & text
Social media posts
Blogs & articles
Videos
Podcasts
Above the line activity
Think of above the line activity as above the waterline.
Visible.
Above the line activities include:
In-person meetings
Phone calls
Breakfasts, lunches & dinners
Business seminars, expos and forums
Social occasions
It all starts with a plan
Below the line activities often happen by stealth. In creating content such as blogs, articles and videos you need to have the discipline to schedule and allocate time. Good disciplines around below the line activity involves time blocking, diary management and execution. A calendar or schedule of below the line activities is key. For example, I commit to writing and broadcasting at least one blog and one video each month.
Above the line activities can be more challenging because they often involve other people. This requires scheduling catch ups and having a rolling calendar to ensure your diary is populated with a comprehensive range of activities. This might involve reaching out to people a month or two in advance and booking in activities. For example, I ensure every fortnight I meet up for Tuesday dinner with a person I want to see and keep in contact with. In addition, I’ll book brekkies, coffees, lunches and dinners with people in all chapters of my life.
You can only manage what you measure
The great management consultant Peter Drucker coined the phrase ‘you can only manage what you measure’.
I suggest a rear-view mirror approach to measuring your ‘above the line’ and ‘below the line’ activities is critical.
This can be as simple as reviewing your activity at the end of each month. If you are time poor, seek an accountability partner to check this and hold you accountable.
I can only impress on you the difference between those that advocate a battery of ‘below the line’ and ‘above the line’ activities.
It generally separates the winners and losers.
But remember, your activities are not static.
You add to your suite of ‘below and above the line activities’ as new opportunities and interests emerge.
Do more of the activities that fill you with energy, joy and success.
Reduce or eliminate the activities that suck away your energy or don’t lead anywhere.
Think survival of the fittest.
Time is finite.
Optimize your communications in a shrinking world.
Be the best version of yourself you can be.
Connect, inspire and lead.
Let us not only hear from you but see you in person.
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