Not a fan of cocktail parties / social events / meetups? Terrible at networking? Perfect.
Whether it's finding love, friends, or a collaborator, I now always apply the same technique that transformed my relationship with groups:
Start by talking to the first person next to you.
Right away. Whoever it is. About anything.
Don't scan the room for the ideal conversation partner. Don't filter by attraction or compatibility. Don't wait for a particular topic or common interests.
Dive into the conversation, then naturally continue with the "next first person" – if they haven't already joined the conversation. And so on.
Before you know it, the person you were looking for (sometimes unconsciously) will be right beside you. And you won't have to figure out what to say because, when you realize it's them, you'll already be in the middle of a conversation.
You're welcome.
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