Ok. You've practiced your conversation technique. You've brushed up on body language, and you're starting to train yourself to see things from your partner's perspective. You feel ready to go out and make some friends.
Unfortunately, unless you are five, your Mom is not going to set up play dates for you. The responsibility for meeting people and creating a connection with them falls squarely in your lap.
This is a tough responsibility, because it means going outside your comfort zone. Unless you are a natural extrovert, you probably prefer spending time by yourself, or with people that you already know. A social event filled with strangers can feel overwhelming and draining.
Fortunately, meeting people is not as hard as you think.
Social events don't need to feel like you versus a room full of strangers. When you find a group that fits your personality and interests, it's much easier to feel comfortable and connect with potential friends. Learn how to identify the right groups, and you'll find meeting people is much easier.
Plus, you don't have to be limited to making friends at social events. Potential connections are all around you---from a classmate sitting next to you to a barista taking your order. Learn to take advantage of the connection opportunities that life sends your way, and you'll find yourself richly rewarded.
In other words, there are bedrock principles that you can learn to take the guesswork out of meeting people and making new friends. That's what this section is all about. Let's dive in.
Meeting People contains three lessons.
Social groups are not created equal. Some groups will make it much easier to make friends than others. In this section, I show you how to find the right group for you.
Social groups are not your only option for meeting new people. In this section, I explain how connecting on a person-to-person level allows you to make friends with the people you meet in your day to day life
When you connect with people on a person-to-person level, you open the door to a new friendship. This lesson builds on the advice in the Everyday Connections lesson and gives practical guidelines for connecting with others on a person-to-person level.
