The Art of Connecting – 10 Ways to Connect with Others

The art of connecting is a collaborative creative process that is fueled by mutual empathy. It helps us see each other’s struggles and failures with compassion, more accurately understand the obstacles we’re all up against, offer support where it counts, and realize that we are all in this life at the end of the day together.

There are so many ways to cultivate genuine relationships and create powerful networks. Here are ten ways  you can do this from an interpersonal standpoint:

10 Ways to Connect with Others

1) Be open and present with yourself as well as others.

If you are always anxious and thinking about the past or future you are not fully present in the moment, which will hinder your ability to connect with yourself or others. “Being present” is the key to happiness. Openness is not just about sharing your heart, mind, and soul. Openness is about being fully engaged in everything you do and with the people you are with.

2) Keep an open mind and be willing to accept new perspectives.

Open-mindedness allows us to experience new and better things which can change the way we look at life. It allows you to truly live instead of simply existing in a world full of self-doubt and skepticism.

3) Be curious and learn from others.

Don’t be so defensive when you hear something that you think is wrong, especially if it’s a statement that doesn’t just hurt your feelings but changes the way you see the world. Let go of your need to defend yourself.

4) Open Communication.

Do not underestimate the power of open communication in creating value both individually and as a group. The more open and honest you are about everything, the more successful your interactions will be.

5) Accept feedback and criticism.

Accept feedback and criticism is important in the art of connection because it helps you actively communicate your ideas to others. When you’re ready or willing to accept criticism, you can better understand, empathize with and ultimately help yourself and the people in your life.

Take criticism as a gift, not a threat. Practice listening to others without defending your point of view or attempting to prove someone else wrong.

6) Humility.

Be humble and let go of your need to have the last word, dominate a conversation, or win an argument. If you want to have a successful relationship with yourself and others, you have to learn how to disagree with grace and ease.

7) Show genuine concern and appreciation for others.

Let us show an honest appreciation for others. People love being appreciated and, in turn, they’ll shower you with appreciation.

Show people that you care for them through actions. For example, if someone at work has been working really hard on a project and they need help finishing it up, offer to lend a hand without hesitation or qualification. Compassionate people are the ones we remember because their deeds go beyond just words.

8) Do not take things personally.

Accept that people will say bad things about you on occasion, but above all, do not take it personally. Believing that every comment and negative opinion about you is “true” is a recipe for defeat and misery. In fact, the more you mindlessly believe such things are true, the more miserable you’ll be! It’s important to realize that there will always be people who don’t like what you’ve done or created. Be grateful for those who believe in you and can accept you for who you are.

9) Surround yourself with people who can support you and inspire you.

You know what they say, “You are the average of the five people around you.” Surround yourself with those of a higher level than yourself to learn from them. Learn from those of a similar level so that they can be your support group!

10) Collaborate with others.

Collaborating with others is important in the art of connection because it is important to help one another by interacting with others and being a part of their lives. People should be able to communicate and share ideas in order to find solutions for problems.

It also helps make the world more interconnected and more understanding; meaning that people have empathy for one another since they are experiencing the same types of things. By collaborating together, people can come up with better solutions early on before things get worse. This will save time, money, and energy in the long run.

In Summary

When your relationships are based on honesty and openness, it’s a win-win for everyone in the long run. It creates value, empowers you and others, breaks down the walls of separation between us all, and reveals that we are “all one.” It allows us to see each other with an eye of compassion, which is the most precious gift we can share in any relationship.

Your friends, family, and colleagues become part of your extended self. You can no longer exist without them. You are part of them, and they are part of you.

We are all indeed one. We need each other in so many ways. Without other people in this world, our lives would be incredibly lonely and unfulfilled. Without each other, we’d be lost in an ocean of separation and false identity. We are a part of this beautiful force called life, and it would be a shame not to live up to it!

That beautiful force of life. That is what living is all about.

A bear hug to you.

Thank you for reading the Art of Connecting! Please check out my other articles on other areas of self-development.