I’ve given up on the idea of connecting with people with other motives than just forming a real human connection.
Growing up in the business world, I had been brainwashed into believing that my network is everything and that the type of people I connect with is very important. Thus, for the past three years, I’ve only been able to form real connections with CEOs/CxOs, Board Directors, Strategic Investors and similar people who are usually at the top of their game.
I’ve missed forming connections with my local cafe barista, my friends abroad, and such and I can finally pinpoint why.
In the last few months, by chance, I had completely stopped reaching out to people and had been fortunate enough to have people reaching out to me instead—from students to teachers to job holders to freelancers, etc. This has helped me fix my perspective on what a real human connection feels like and thus, made me realize that I love being around people only when I do not have any ulterior motive in my head other than for enjoying the moment.
In the next few months, I plan to launch a product that will inherently drive me to become a salesman. On that day, I want to preserve the art of connecting with other people as a CEO who when stripped of all of his titles and accolades is just another person wearing his flip-flops on a Saturday going out to fetch 5 poka dudh.