Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Two Minutes

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What kind of impact could you make on your network in two minutes or less?

When I speak about this connecting stuff and how important it is to our lives and careers the most common objection I hear is, "Who has the time?"

Look we're all busy.  There are endless demands for our time, energy and attention.  I won't argue that.  But I guarantee none of us are too busy to find two little 'ol minutes in our jam packed day.  And if used right, they could make all the difference in the world.

Think about it.

Standing in line at Starbucks.  Fire off a quick text or email to someone letting them know you are thinking about them.  Heck you'll be done before the lady in front of you spits out the ingredients to super complicated no-fat, double shot whatever.

You could jot a quick note on an actual greeting card to a special someone in your network while you wait in the lobby of your next appointment.  Other than people giving you a strange look for using one of those "writing instruments their parents used to use," there's nothing to say that you can't maximize the "waiting time." I mean seriously, is thumbing through last year's copy of Fortune Magazine really a better way to wait?

What about picking up the phone to say a quick "Hello" to some important to you while you wait to board that flight.  Hell it's better than paying for an overpriced meal or drinks at the airport bar.  Plus it will prevent you from eating a club sandwich you're bound to regret 30,000 feet in the air and the conversation will help pass the time because undoubtedly your flight will be delayed anyway.

Maybe it's spending a few extra minutes after soccer practice to talk to that out of work dad about what kinds of positions he's interested in.  Who knows, maybe he's a fit for your company or at minimum might volunteer to drive your kid to practice next week.

The point is we all have two minutes we can spare which can be maximized to help our connecting efforts.  Those two minutes will pass in a flash but one thing is for sure, the effort, the action and the feelings you will create by investing in someone else will last a whole lot longer.

Ripple On!!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic suggestion Steve. I'm finding my two minutes right now to reach out touch someone from my network.

Susan

Kelsey A said...

Awesome advice Mr. Ripple


K