Want to Be Happier? Try Changing the Conversations You Have

Like many of you no doubt, I’ve spent a long time thinking I was simply no good at networking. In fact, I’ve spent a long time thinking I was no good at socializing full stop. Then I realized, the main reason I was finding it so painful was because I was being asked the wrong questions, and in turn I was asking the wrong questions. So, what do you do? The typical question when meeting new people, friends of friends, or work acquaintances is that standard fare — so, what do you do? It’s a minefield question in itself. Do you answer by the job you’re paid to do or the unpaid, freelance work you do on the side? Your passion projects or your high status job title? What if you’re unemployed, or a stay-at-home parent? Taking a sabbatical while you figure things out? Essentially this is why we’re asking each other the question — we want to know where we stand in equilibrium with the person we’re conversing with. We want to know, is this someone worth talking to? Is our job title above or below theirs? Is our company bigger, more profitable, more well known, cooler than theirs? Am I more successful than them? Are they passionate about the work they do? Does this come across when we ask the question? We could even go so far as to say we’re trying to find out if they are happier than us. Do they have a better sense of purpose in their life? As I said. The question is a minefield. There’s actually more to the benign questions we ask and network...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Agitation Communication Family Friends Happiness Industrial and Workplace LifeHelper Motivation and Inspiration Relationships Meaningful Conversation Negativity Optimism Personal Growth Pessimism small talk Source Type: blogs