Creative work can be lonely work if you’re an independent artist, a solo-preneur, or even just a bit of an introvert. It’s often just you and only you there inside your studio, your office, your head.
I think it’s important to know you’re not alone, that there are others like you (and others unlike you) out there in the world.
That’s why I set a goal a few months back to try and touch at least five people every day.
No, I don’t go around putting my hands on strangers. A guy can get slapped or even thrown in jail for something like that.
Instead, I try to make contact with five or more people every day by doing one of the following:
- writing a letter
- making a phone call
- leaving a comment on someone’s blog
- sending and responding to emails
- initiating or responding to a friendly exchange on my blog, Facebook, or Twitter
- scheduling a date with my wife, an outing with my son or daughter, or a visit with a friend or family member
- getting out of the house and visiting one of my favorite haunts
Five isn’t set in stone, but I think it’s a nice, odd number, so I’m calling this the Touch Five Challenge.
Three might be more your speed, or perhaps five is far too low. You have to set your own standards.
The main thing is to get out there and touch someone. Support them. Encourage them. Connect with them. And let them do the same for you.
It could be the most empowering (and touching) thing you ever do.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this idea- it is a very do-able approach to tackling a very real concern for those of us who tend to be more solitary…thanks!
Idara´s last blog ..The Food, the Sex & the Cake
Thanks, Idara.
Sometimes the best you can do is the least you can do.
Hi Ken, I shall take this morning and you will be the first person I say “hello” to (besides my wife and kids).
So Hello! I hope things are going great for you!
Thanks for sharing these ideas. Too often I get locked in my own little world
Jeremy Johnson´s last blog ..The Ant Philosophy
And a big Hello to you, too. Loved your Ant Philosophy post.
Hi Ken,
Enjoyed this post. Five is a great number–easy enough to be do-able but there’s enough connection to make it meaningful. I am more on the introvert side, and find that reaching out to others is much more likely to happen if I only set small manageable goals.
Cheers,
Dave´s last blog ..6 Impossible Things: #4 A Penny-Farthing For Your Thoughts
That’s been my experience too, Dave.
i know you’ve never been to my house, but I have a drawing of a handprint with a big number 5 in the middle of it to remind me to connect with 5 people everyday, too. And I use the number 5 all the time…delete 5 messages in my inbox, read 5 pages, etc. etc. etc.
Maybe we should start a Take Five Club.
Hmmm. That’s interesting.
Great post, Ken! Consider this one of my five contacts. What a nice idea for those of us who are a bit on the isolated side. Thanks!
It’s an idea to build on. Start with one everyday and when that’s comfortable move to tow a day and so forth.
I loved the drawing; it reminds me when my kids were little and asking for cookies. Okay, now I’m hungry.
Deb´s last blog ..Transition: moving from the shadows into the light
It’s one of my favorites. Carol’s too. Thanks, Deb.
Thank you for this idea! I work by myself, in my bedroom, and it does indeed get lonely! I become the person who talks too much at the cafe when I go out to get coffee….and who can’t stop blabbing when my husband gets home from work. I’m going to put this into practise…
best
nicole
I do the same thing when I’m home all day, Nicole. I’m like a puppy when Carol gets home.