Three Touch Points

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw

The wonders of technology allow us to quickly have access to information, to contact or gather pictures and multitudes of other things. But does this technology actually help us to communicate with each other?

In many ways yes. Instant ability to pick up your phone and text or email a message. We post constantly on social media about what we are having for dinner. There are easy status updates to wish someone a happy birthday or any number of greetings. We can even send voice recorded messages in text.

What happened to actually looking someone eye-to-eye, shaking hands and having a conversation?

We have the ability to create three touch points with every human interaction, every day, every time we come in contact. There is a certain bond that takes place when you look someone in the eye and shake their hand. Even when a language barrier exists, two out of three makes a huge difference.

Recently I was in Taiwan and China with folks that I have conversed with over email at previous times. Once I met the individuals face-to-face, shook their hand and spoke, the real connection was made. We bonded the way humans will bond with those three touch points. Three touch points that have created a long term relationship, whether that be as business partners or friends.

Use your smart technology to connect, but don't forget your touch points of human communication.

Stay inspired my friends.

Did You Hear That

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk." -Doug Larson

Wait, did you hear that?

Stop what you're doing, turn down the radio or TV and listen. At first it sounds like complete silence, but keep listening, the noises going on around you, the conversation in the distance, a plane going by overhead or maybe the bark of a dog.

It is difficult to hear all these different things when you do not stop and listen carefully.

Focus on the silence and think about when you are listening to someone speak to you. Are you focusing on what they are saying? If we don't listen carefully, we miss out on a chance to learn something new. J.W. Marriott, Jr. said and I paraphrase, "...one who doesn't listen well risks missing critical information, losing (or never winning) the confidence of the other and forfeiting opportunity."

There are times when I will sit in a quiet room and simply work on listening. Practicing how to focus on different sounds and trying to identify them. One of the things I work on is simply being still. It was said by someone that said, "...in order to say the right thing at the right time, keep still most of the time."

Listening to others comes very natural to some and can be a learned skill by others. But either way, listening is important to our daily lives. Try it some time - focus on the other person and absorb what they say, regardless of how slow or fast they may talk. Whether you agree or disagree with them, you may just learn or find new possibility.

Wait, I did hear that!

Stay inspired my friends.