I'd mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I'm a member of Team Dan Pink, whose mission is to help Dan promote his new book. I've had some time to explore other team member's Websites. Something inside began to Panama Canal a neuro-pathway in a remote corner of my brain, but I didn't know why. It seemed as if a steamshovel was creating an impression while the overall project was still pretty fuzzy.
Things started to come in focus however when I began investigating Carol Ross's site Carol Ross and Associates. Actually, that's not quite true. I completely forgot about Dan Pink and instead became mesmerized with Carol's work. It was like I was looking in a mirror. Well, as much as an old, balding grandfather can who is looking at a sharp, attractive Chinese woman and her stuff. It was like Carol was my female, little sister version of a brother from another mother. If my heart had stopped one more time from all of the similarities, you wouldn't be reading this right now.
Contrary to what you might think here in cyberspace, I am an introvert's introvert. I sometimes talk myself out of personally connecting with folks I see online. Not the case with Carol. I couldn't wait to talk with her. It's funny how inhibition melts away when overwhelmed by commonality.
I had the pleasure of talking with Carol yesterday. When she told me how intrigued and fascinated she is with and by the folks on this team, a rubber mallet struck me upside the head. I had become so lost in Carol's Website I'd totally forgotten why I came there in the first place...our connection with Dan and his work. We probably could start and finish each other's sentences in regards to Dan's Whole New Mind philosophy.
I've connected with people who've had no use for me and let me know in no uncertain terms. You can probably just imagine how this experience affects dave-the-introvert. I've forced myself again and have been slapped down or completely ignored again. I'm not a warrior here. For every person I connect with I pass on five others. But I can tell you, if I had to go through all of that crap in order to connect with a person like Carol, I gladly do it all over again.
The moral of this story is if you're an introvert like me, don't get discouraged or take it personally when people don't connect with you. Keep moving forward. You'll meet a professional like Carol. And when you do, the road you've traveled won't seem so bad and the one if front of you looks a whole lot brighter.
The lesson of this story is when a steam shovel is furiously burrowing a neuro-pathway in your brain about synaptic connections to like-minded people, stand by with diesel fuel and be ready to connect.
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