I don't use the phrase so technically/literally anymore, but I still approach each new conversation/person with the "Tell me more" mindset and it's really helped me settle well in Vietnam and make good friends. It's really one of those lessons that have irrevocably changed who I am, in a good way. Still muddling along with financial management as well though I can't say I'm a better investor now than I was back then. I'm potentially too much of a satisficer as opposed to a maximiser when it comes to managing my money, going for "good enough" as opposed to "best."
Oh the lesson one is still tough for me. It is my panic zone, if you can share more the experience of starting conversation with colleagues in other department, that would be cool! and "Tell me more" I am using it many times as well, copying from same boss :)
For the second one, I have invested a little bit but need to make it more. this cultivates me to put it in my goals as well. thank you for sharing!
I think it starts with having the mindset of wanting to know more about 1) what that colleague does and 2) who they are as a person (later when you're a bit closer). I start with the first point and just ask open-ended questions around their work, and add relevant points from my experience. And then you can gauge based on how open they are in their answers if they're interested to engage in the conversation. If they're open in their answers, you can probe a bit more. If they're more reticent then maybe it's not going to work and I normally stop engaging and move on to the next person!
It's not easy at first. But you just learn to accept that you're not going to be friends with everyone/that many people will not be interested in having a relationship with you. And you learn to not feel offended and take that as normal. Took me a while to get there but makes life much easier.
It's been a while since you wrote this blog. I'm curious if it has been helpful for you since you wrote it?
"Tell me more"
I don't use the phrase so technically/literally anymore, but I still approach each new conversation/person with the "Tell me more" mindset and it's really helped me settle well in Vietnam and make good friends. It's really one of those lessons that have irrevocably changed who I am, in a good way. Still muddling along with financial management as well though I can't say I'm a better investor now than I was back then. I'm potentially too much of a satisficer as opposed to a maximiser when it comes to managing my money, going for "good enough" as opposed to "best."
You are welcome.
Oh the lesson one is still tough for me. It is my panic zone, if you can share more the experience of starting conversation with colleagues in other department, that would be cool! and "Tell me more" I am using it many times as well, copying from same boss :)
For the second one, I have invested a little bit but need to make it more. this cultivates me to put it in my goals as well. thank you for sharing!
I think it starts with having the mindset of wanting to know more about 1) what that colleague does and 2) who they are as a person (later when you're a bit closer). I start with the first point and just ask open-ended questions around their work, and add relevant points from my experience. And then you can gauge based on how open they are in their answers if they're interested to engage in the conversation. If they're open in their answers, you can probe a bit more. If they're more reticent then maybe it's not going to work and I normally stop engaging and move on to the next person!
Ahhhhhh I see, how do you feel when you need to stop? How can you deal with that?
It's not easy at first. But you just learn to accept that you're not going to be friends with everyone/that many people will not be interested in having a relationship with you. And you learn to not feel offended and take that as normal. Took me a while to get there but makes life much easier.