Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!
This week we’re Sparking an Idea About Making ‘Real Life’ Connections With People You Know Online
Those of you who know me especially after my infamous Social networking as a hermit post know I am not a social butterfly. Believe it or not, I am very shy and get cold feet when meeting people. Yet, at the same time, I enjoy other peoples’ company. It’s weird isn’t it? That’s probably because deep down inside humans are social creatures and need that to sustain us.
Once every few months, I have a strong urge/desire to connect with people face to face. Particularly the people whom I work with online. I’ve never once turned an opportunity down to do so. It really helps to solidify your relationship. I have no wise words here, only one tidbit to share.
You can, should and have to reach out. Nobody ever comes to you if you don’t seek them out first.
I have a private forum for people like me who left everything they have in their native land to seek a new and better life abroad – doesn’t matter which country. Once, a woman complained to me and said I am lucky because I have this support group and she has none. What she doesn’t know is that, for years I led a very lonely existence. My ’support group’ did not come about overnight and those relationships didn’t blossom in a day either. It took me years to build that community and those in the community began organizing meetups with each other which further increased their bond and appreciation of the community.
If we had all sat around and sulked like she did, we’d never enrich our lives and give others the opportunity to enrich ours.
It’s been months since my last meetup with my online friends. I know that if I want to enjoy that experience again, I have to initiate it, the same way I initiated our last meetup.
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Lynette enjoys discovering new ways to use technology or new technologies to use in a business and in turn help her clients apply them.
You can find also Lynette at her 
I hear you Lynette, I feel really uncomfortable going to networking events. I am fine meeting one or two people, but a whole whack? Eeek! I am nervous about the Mom Mastermind meetup in Toronto tomorrow, but I have already met Angela Wills in real life, and I feel like I know so many of the other people, I am sure I will be fine. But palms are sweaty!
I heard you all had a great time Christie. I’m more relaxed around women but it still makes me nervous when there are a lot of people and I know nobody. That’s why I try to get my husband to tag along – also for safety reasons LOL.