This is neither a guide nor a diary, though it at times may resemble both. Please contribute if you want!
I'm making 2021 all about expanding my social reach. In late 2018, I relocated, left the US for Europe. 2019 was dedicated to finding my sea legs. I had to figure out how to earn an income and whether I wanted to stay where I am. 2020 was, of course, all about adapting and surviving. Now it's mid February 2021 and things are, for the moment, picking up again in most phases. Where I live we're in a kind of half lockdown, so it's a good time to prepare for when things pick up again.
Have you thought about how you can expand your presence socially? I'd love to hear your suggestions.
I work remotely, i.e. from home, so professionally I don't make many contacts where I live. To counter that, in normal times I go out to language exchanges once a week. That's where I meet all kinds of different people from all walks of life: college students, older adults, everyone in between. I've made friends, potential business contacts, and yes, gotten laid through language exchanges.
My hobbies are mostly in the performing/audio-visual arts, so one of my goals is to circulate more within the local scene here. I have been working on two personal art projects (different spheres) that I plan on exhibiting when it's finally possible to do so. In that vein, I plan on going to more of these types of events and seeing other people's works, for inspiration, growth, and to meet more like-minded people.
I know this sounds elementary, but it can be so easy sometimes to stay in (I do very well alone). So sometimes it will be like making yourself go to the gym - I'll feel better once I'm there.
My goal is to be more well-recognized where I am - I want more people to see me and say hi. For this I have to channel my charisma and make people feel important, something I'm very good at but don't always "turn on." I think it all starts with getting out there more. Note, I'm not aiming for vacuous celebrity, but rather, I want to be respected and known simply as the guy people want to be around - but by harnessing my talents and interests. I already have this high value status within my current sphere, so it's just a matter of expanding the sphere.
The other component is making more money. Work is picking up after a few rough months, and I have some opportunities ahead of me to really flourish, if things go smoothly. So it's also a matter of putting in the hard work and reaping the rewards. I live well enough, but I know I can do a lot better, without sacrificing my day to day happiness.
Feel free to share your experiences or insights.
I'm making 2021 all about expanding my social reach. In late 2018, I relocated, left the US for Europe. 2019 was dedicated to finding my sea legs. I had to figure out how to earn an income and whether I wanted to stay where I am. 2020 was, of course, all about adapting and surviving. Now it's mid February 2021 and things are, for the moment, picking up again in most phases. Where I live we're in a kind of half lockdown, so it's a good time to prepare for when things pick up again.
Have you thought about how you can expand your presence socially? I'd love to hear your suggestions.
I work remotely, i.e. from home, so professionally I don't make many contacts where I live. To counter that, in normal times I go out to language exchanges once a week. That's where I meet all kinds of different people from all walks of life: college students, older adults, everyone in between. I've made friends, potential business contacts, and yes, gotten laid through language exchanges.
My hobbies are mostly in the performing/audio-visual arts, so one of my goals is to circulate more within the local scene here. I have been working on two personal art projects (different spheres) that I plan on exhibiting when it's finally possible to do so. In that vein, I plan on going to more of these types of events and seeing other people's works, for inspiration, growth, and to meet more like-minded people.
I know this sounds elementary, but it can be so easy sometimes to stay in (I do very well alone). So sometimes it will be like making yourself go to the gym - I'll feel better once I'm there.
My goal is to be more well-recognized where I am - I want more people to see me and say hi. For this I have to channel my charisma and make people feel important, something I'm very good at but don't always "turn on." I think it all starts with getting out there more. Note, I'm not aiming for vacuous celebrity, but rather, I want to be respected and known simply as the guy people want to be around - but by harnessing my talents and interests. I already have this high value status within my current sphere, so it's just a matter of expanding the sphere.
The other component is making more money. Work is picking up after a few rough months, and I have some opportunities ahead of me to really flourish, if things go smoothly. So it's also a matter of putting in the hard work and reaping the rewards. I live well enough, but I know I can do a lot better, without sacrificing my day to day happiness.
Feel free to share your experiences or insights.