Remember Kindergarten? You see someone. You decide to be friends with that someone. You smile, you say your name, and you play together. Voila.
Attending the WPPI convention in Las Vegas reminded me of the importance of Kindergarten skills. I’m an only child who was raised in the middle of nowhere, so my basic social skills have always been a weeee bit behind those of you lucky enough to have come up with siblings and cities. It’s hard for me to make a first move and say hello, smile, and/or agree to be pals at first sight.
It got a bit easier in Vegas, possibly because I used my Kindergarten skills more than I have since…Kindergarten. I even ended up having dinner on the final night with complete strangers. (Yay! A breakthrough!)
With my bold, freshly-pumped skills, I intend to schedule some more meetings with strangers this week, and I challenge you to do the same. What if you call a photographer in your area who offers complementary services and then talk about anything BUT photography? What if you introduce yourself to a local business owner? (And have coffee, even?) What if you sign up for a networking event or agree to take a class? (I’ve been talked into Falconry, Burlesque Dancing, and Horseback Riding lately.)
Do any of these things, and you’re going to make a friend or two. You might even enjoy yourself! I’d love to hear about the ways you’re using your Kindergarten skills in the coming weeks and months…
omg.. I totally felt this way at WPPI.. I see people I would have loved to say Hi to standing right next me and don’t not say a word… aaah. Mum was the word…. I must come over this…
so “Hi”, and I will do the same in the coming weeks… I must find my 5 year old courage these days..
it was so much easier back then… 
thanks for the encouragement…
Gina, if you saw me and didn’t say hi, I’m gonna smack ya. But I know how you feel…absolutely intimidating!
Hi, lovely.
good reminder ;o) i’m gonna meet a whole pile of strangers tomorrow! i could use some ‘pushing’ outside my comfort zone. I never went to kindergarten (homeschooler here) but i’ll try to muster some mad kindergarten skills ;o) haha
kindergarten skills! oh my goodness that is such a good name for it! i totally can still remember on the second day of kindergarten standing by Mrs. Whitacre at recess and Kimberly came up and asked me Do you want to be my friend? and then we were best friends for years. (I so wish I could find her again.)
Okay, I am totally going to practice my kindergarten skills, and even though it will be a little scary, I will just remind myself they are kindergarten skills which will make it funny and more doable!
I know, so simple…”Will you be my friend?” “Yes.”
Well, I’m wishing I had gone to WPPI so I could have said hi and bought you a cup of coffee. What with the kiddoes and a bridal fair I just couldn’t make it this year. I just love the blog, so when I read this I thought, “Who wouldn’t want to spend some time talking to her?” Go out there with that attitude that people will be grateful, nay, overjoyed to meet you, ’cause I think it’s true.
Ha – I totally understand this! I used to feel this way too (am also a single kid) but I got used to having to be bold over time or you get bored as a kid. Good for you for using Vegas to be bold!