Something I’ve realized over the past year since Claudia and I really started waking up and living more intentionally is the importance of connecting with like-minded people.
NYC Trip
I’ve experienced this when I went to Colorado last fall for a Free Agent Academy event, the time Claudia and I met up with strangers in Virginia we met on Facebook, and when I went to New York City a few weeks ago to meet my friends Justin Lukasavige and Andy Traub to name a few.
In addition, we leave on Sunday to drive to a small town in western Pennsylvania for a meetup with some friends whom we met over the past year online. These are other bloggers and entrepreneurs doing some really amazing things!
We’re really excited for the chance to spend a couple of days with them and get to know even better.
As I was thinking about why exactly I enjoy meeting with like-minded people, I came up with 3 reasons, or 3 benefits if you will.
1. New ideas and inspiration. There’s just something about getting away from your regular environment and meeting with great people. New ideas and inspiration abound.
2. The possibility of collaborations. Getting out and meeting others with similar interests and goals gives you the chance to work with others that may have a complimentary skill set.
3. The opportunity to help others. This can be done by things as simple listening or offering encouragement. Or, perhaps your unique skills or connections will be just what someone else needs.
We’ve seen these benefits first hand and are excited to continue to connect with like-minded people.
Question: When’s the last time you connected with like-minded people?
It’s been awhile but I’m hoping to soon. The thing I’ve struggled with is finding like minded people nearby. I’m sure there are it’s just been difficult, for me, to find them.
Oh! And I was able to ask Dan Miller your question. The answer will be on my blog tomorrow. Hope you’re able to check it out.
Joe, it seems like you were able to connect with some great folks online via your blog. Are any of them nearby?
Looking forward to the interview!
I know. I’ve got tons of great people connecting with me on my blog. So far only one person that is nearby. We plan on meeting up eventually but would still love to meet other local bloggers or attend more events that are local. Can’t seem to find anything nearby.
A cool gathering that I was able to go locally (well, 2 hour bus ride) was the recent Chris Guillebeau book signing. It was free too! Did he stop up your way?
I remember you mentioning that. I didn’t get to attend. He didn’t have a stop close enough. I think the closest was Wisconsin and that was 4-5 hours away.
Bet that was a blast meeting Chris. He seems like a great guy!
Yeah, totally. The trip was definitely worth it!
In becoming active in 48 days groups and this blogging group I have met some of the most amazing people and even though I haven’t met them in person – yet – the interactions have been so incredible in motivating and encouraging me. I have enjoyed the occasions when I can do something to help someone else and have found immeasurable benefit from sharing my thoughts and hearing another opinion or viewpoint.
Same here, Ann. 48 Days and our blogging group have been huge for me too!
You’re near NYC, right? That’s not too far away from us here in PA. As I mentioned in the post, I get up there from time to time.
You’re awesome.
Haha! Only as awesome as the people I hang around.
About this time of year in 2009 I made the drive from Kansas City to Nashville to attend a Free Agent Academy event (called 212 Connection at the time). It was such a blast!
My next goal is to make it to a Speak It Forward boot camp.
Awesome, James. I went to get to Franklin sometime as well. And Speak it Forward. I know Kent puts on a great event!
James, Steve and I met you at that same event, but we didn’t get a change to chat much.
My head was spinning after that event. I had so many great ideas. I still do have a bunch of great ideas, lol.
Must not be jealous. I’m at home taking care of my wife who has a Migraine today. And yesterday. 🙁
Oh, but that’s more important, Jason. 🙂 How has her health condition been lately? You had mentioned this in the past.
Very cool, Michael. Way to be intentional with connecting with awesome people like yourself, Justin, and Andy… And hey , that’s a great pic of you guys…
Hey, thanks, Rob.
Michael, I found FAA to be slap full of like minded people. Just really neat to interact with them over the past several months on Skype and the courses. That’s how I met Rob and then all of our various blogging folks and even that spring boarded into meeting other bloggers. So cool that you got to hang out with Justin and Andy! They are heavy-hitters in my book and great influences.
Michael,
Yeah, Justin and Andy are great guys and it was an honor to spend some time with them.
FAA was huge for me too in connecting with some awesome people. I think it is for a lot of people which says a lot about what Kevin and the other leaders have created.
“Slap full”… haven’t heard that one before, Michael. I agree about the impact of FAA. In playing the 6 Degrees of Separation Game, I can trace many of my dearest relationships directly back to Dan and Kevin Miller and company.
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Our Summer Meet Up in June was great. It kicked off my desire to meet up with as many new people as possible over the summer. We met up with some truly wonderful people. Some were long time friends or family, some we knew from online. Others were complete strangers that we were referred to by others. It was crazy and not at all in line with our typical introverted personalities. It was amazing.
That meet up was great, Jody! I think opportunity comes from both change and connections. I’ve met more new people, and not just online, over the past year than I ever have and it’s been incredible! Plus,
real opportunity has come out of that.