Two Minutes

What kind of impact could you make on your network in two minutes or less?

I often speak about this connecting stuff and how important it is to our lives and careers. But more often than not I always get a, "Who has the time?"

Look we're all busy.  There are endless demands for our time, energy, and attention.  I won't argue that.  But I guarantee none of us are too busy to find two little 'ol minutes in our jam-packed day.  And if used right, they could make all the difference in the world.

Think about it.

Standing in line at Starbucks.  Fire off a quick text or email to someone letting them know you are thinking about them.  Heck, you'll already be done before the lady in front of you spits out the ingredients to the super complicated no-fat, double shot whatever.

You could jot a quick note on an actual greeting card to a special someone in your network. Name anything better you can do in the lobby of your next appointment.  Other than people giving you a strange look for using one of those "writing instruments their parents used to use". There's not a better way to maximize the "waiting time". I mean seriously, is thumbing through last year's copy of Fortune Magazine really a better way to wait?

What about picking up the phone to say a quick "Hello" to someone important to you while you wait to board your next flight.  Hell, it's better than paying for an overpriced meal or drink at the airport bar.  Plus it will prevent you from eating a club sandwich you're bound to regret 30,000 feet in the air and the conversation will help pass the time until you are called to the cattle call of boarding.

Maybe it's spending a few extra minutes during soccer practice to talk to that out-of-work dad about what types of positions he's interested in.  Who knows, maybe he's a fit for your company or someone else you know.  At a minimum, it will distract you both from that over-the-top soccer coach. You know, the one who thinks the World cup will soon be welcoming your group of six-year-olds.

The point is, we all have two minutes we can spare. All you have to do is find how they can be maximized to help our connecting efforts. Those two minutes will pass in a flash but one thing is for sure, the effort, the action, and the feelings you will create by investing those precious minutes in someone else will last a whole lot longer.

So what are you going to do with your two minutes today?

Ripple On!!!

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