Get outside!

• I'm always intrigued by the variety of responses when I talk to people about social and networking events
• Some people wrinkle their face into a grimace, while others find them useful tools to attract new business (Although some of the face-wrinklers have never actually attended an event; Kind of like those Vancouverites that praise their city as the best city in Canada (and sometimes the world), yet have never been to Ontario!)
• While others like myself, enjoy them as a cool way to meet new people
• I think I’m developing a mild addiction to these events however, as I’m constantly trying to feed my craving by seeking out new and interesting ones
• OK, that may be somewhat of an exaggeration, but I do truly love the opportunity to get into a good conversation with a genuinely interesting and engaging individual
• I love experiencing the flavor of different people and am definitely putty in the hands of a foreigner that goes on about their culture and traditions and passions (and its not just the foreign accent!)
• Last Thursday I went to the Vancouver Minglers event at the Diavolo Restaurant
• Corina Taylor from CBC Television was there filming for the CBC show ‘Living Vancouver’
• I think the show is a great idea as it helps create an awareness for the diverse range of activities, events, and things to do in and around the city
• I find people often complain that there isn’t enough going on in Vancouver, however its really just a matter of knowing where to find things
• I do have an issue with the North American obsession (and I use that word loosely) with the television
• I can’t help but notice lately the ambient glow of the television in so many homes and condos when out at night
• Our TVs are also getting bigger and bigger (albeit they are very nice to watch)
• But I’m finding that many people are succumbing to the draw of the almighty TV too easily
• I’ve heard the arguments defending the obsession stating that many people need that time in front of the TV to just unwind after a long day of work
• And I can almost sympathize with that point of view (as I have experienced the pleasure of falling into a plush sofa and watching some mind-numbing comedy), however my concern is that there is a deeper problem
• Should we really be in such dire need to unwind at the end of the work day?
• Are our jobs sucking that much out of us that we have nothing left at the end of the day but the desire to sit and tune out the rest of the world (rather than socializing with family and/or friends)?
• I acknowledge that this is a generalization but there is definitely a desocialization trend underway, especially as the youth gravitate more and more towards instant messaging programs and video games, while shifting away from valuable human emotion-based interaction
• When it comes to pleasure and the true enjoyment of life, I tend to side with the southern Europeans
• They recognize and embrace the value of genuine interaction with family and friends; Their careers are important, but don’t often take precedence over what is truly important to them
• Even the British, with their local pubs as meeting places for friends and neighbors, have got an understanding of what it means to interact; Plus, their TVs are smaller and have a fraction of the channels we have here; Maybe they’re onto something…

Practically speaking

• Don’t take your job so seriously(!) and appreciate your city and your people a little more than you currently do
• Try out some social, networking, or sports organizations
• Meetup.com, Urban Mixer, Vancouver Minglers, Meet Market Adventures, BNI, Vancouver Board of Trade, ESN, Urban Rec, Vancouver Ultimate League, Irish Sporting and Social Club
• Become a regular reader of the West Ender and the Georgia Straight (The print versions are currently better than the online versions for upcoming events); Or Eye Weekly in Toronto, or Time Out for cities around the world
• Get outside; And you might just have some fun, get inspired, make some new friends, and get a fresh perspective on life
• One of my favorite aspects of coaching is simply seeing the sparkle in a client’s eye or their momentary pause as they suddenly look at their life and their potential from a different perspective and actually open themselves up to all the possibilities available just waiting for them to embrace
• And next time you’re heading out for a meal, why not skip the chain restaurant and try a new place (preferably independent); Experience something a little different while encouraging creativity and culture and diversity; Something that’s good for all of us
• So set the TiVo, or better yet, skip the show all together, and get outside and meet some new people!