Being social comes easily for some people. As we’ve learned, extroverts are naturally social and thrive on social engagement. They don’t have to work too hard to be social, but sometimes getting into a rut can keep them from having the social life they truly want.
Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or overbooked can make being social hard. Adding tasks to your busy day just to improve your social life might feel like a burden. Luckily there are fun ways to be more social without even trying. Some of the simplest are:
- Make eye contact
- Ask questions
- Be a regular
Look people in the eye and make a connection – So much of socializing is non-verbal. Many of the cues we give are subtle and don’t need verbalization. Simply looking people in the eye and smiling at them can have a positive social impact. Being friendly and engaging non-verbally can be a conversation starter.
When checking out in the store, practice looking the clerk in the eye and smiling. When you hit the drive thru, be sure to notice the person standing in the window when they hand you your purchase.
Ask questions and make conversation – Showing a genuine interest in others helps build relationships. Asking people open ended questions can help strike up a conversation and make it easier to get to know one another. If there’s chemistry, it might be an opportunity to meet up for a get-to-know-you date.
See the same people at the gym? Ask engaging questions or go out of your way to say hello and compliment them. Letting people know you are friendly and engaging can help build new relationships.
Be consistent and frequent – Going to the same places can create a pattern of seeing the same people over time. This is a great way to create familiarity and build relationships. The act of being a frequent patron at your favorite coffee shop could open the door to new friendships. Making small talk with the local business owner not only supports small business, it creates an opening for friendships.
Patronize the same businesses and get to know the staff or other regular customers. Use eye contact and make conversation to show people you are friendly and approachable.
You don’t have to adopt a whole bunch of new activities to get more social. You can easily start enhancing the things you are already doing and build relationships without even trying.
