I find it hard to talk to people – almost every time – My Inspired Media.

I find it
hard to talk to people

Perhaps
it was my upbringing, I don’t know, but I had always been
reluctant to talk to people, especially strangers or someone I
kind of knew.  This went on for years.  I really didn’t
care for parties.  Going to a bar was OK, because most young
people there were half lit up so they’d talk to anyone.  Then
one day a fellow told me to memorize the word “form”.  I told
him I find it hard to
talk to people, and he said just follow the first three
letters of form to get started.

I find it hard to talk to people

I
figured if I
find it hard to talk to people and other people had
no problem then using FORM had to be the answer.  It
was.  FORM stands
for…

F = Family

O = Occupation or job

R = Recreation

M = Message (need or desire)

So with that in mind I started practicing.  I even went so
far as to introduce myself to complete strangers in coffee shops
and restaurants.  It was easy to do.  I just walked up
and said “You look familiar to me, have we met before?” 
Usually they had no idea who I was, so I carried it further asking
if they had attended some sports game or function locally. 
I’d end with saying “You still look familiar, is this your
wife?”  “…or children?”  Had he answered that he had
attended a game I would have had the Recreation part, and if not I
then had the Family part rolling.  Keep in mind that FORM is
a guide line, not an answer.  You still need to cultivate
asking about each item and do it with sensitivity.  You don’t
just ask “I this your wife?” you cultivate it by turning the
attention to her and asking her how she likes the city, etc. 
Usually I would end saying something like, “We should get together
for coffee sometime, why don’t you give me your phone number and
I’ll give you a call, of here’s my card call me.” as I gave them
my business card.  I always remember Will Rogers once said “I
never met a man I didn’t like.”  I have heard it another way
that “A stranger is only a friend you haven’t met yet.”  I
hope this helps you accomplish the problem of “I find it
hard to talk to people.”

Visit my
website at:  http://www.billconnely.com/