Back to School Connecting

• New school supplies.
• Special school shoes.
• Fall clothes that will be too hot to wear for a month.
• Homeroom assignment.
• Stories of our summer escapades.
• The yellow school bus conversations.

I have so many cherished memories of “back to school” time. Yes, I was one of those kids who could not WAIT to get back to school and see everyone. The comforting routine of classes, homework and clearly defined expectations made me safe in the world.

However, in retrospect, I see it was also all about the CONNECTION.

School was about old and new friends, social activities, and a shared language and experience. It made small talk easy. It eliminated so much of the social anxiety for boys and girls because you could always talk about a teacher, an assignment or a school activity.

How is it that so many of us have gotten away from that behavior? Is it simply because many of us no longer go to school?

My career coaching clients are always asking for networking tips- for ideas on how to break the ice with someone they want to get to know- for ways to expand their circle of influence and opportunity.

• Well, some of you reading this ARE full-time or part-time students! Bravo! You have a built in networking system. Get out there and meet people. Start simple. Say hello and compare notes.
• Some of you reading this are parents or grandparents of school-age children. This can be a huge advantage for you and your networking efforts. Yes, you might just be running in and out of the school, waiting in the parking lot with the car running, worrying that you are late for his or her activity because of a meeting that ran over… but what if you took a moment to breathe. View the landscape. All that volunteering you are asked to do could be the opportunity you have been looking for to meet some new people. Standing outside the school or on the sidelines of the soccer field is a great time to engage with another parent, aunt or grandparent beyond the perfunctory “hey”. You have a common “back to school” language that you can use to begin your connecting.
• And if you do not fall into the student or parent category right now, there are ways for you to take advantage of the “back to school” thrill in the air. Sign up for a class- something you have been meaning to do for years: knitting, fiction writing, kickboxing, pottery, computer science, guitar, home repair, CPR, ice skating … it really doesn’t matter. Make this the year that you check it off your list! You will be joined by a group of local people all interested in the learning the same thing. Instant conversation! Instant connection. Instant networking.

“Back to school” is all about new beginnings. All about connection, teamwork and expanding your mind. Add a little of this into your life and watch your circle of influence grow.  And perhaps buy a new pair of “back to school” shoes to treat yourself!

[photo: my niece many years ago on her first day of school]