The best icebreaker for awkward situations
Oh, hi friends!
What does your ideal day look like?
Where are you going? What are you doing? Who are you with?
When I was laid off from Newsweek/The Daily Beast six years ago, I found myself with a lot of open space. (Note that I didn’t say ‘free time’—time is never free!)
To figure out what to do in this open space, I wrote down my ideal day, from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, considering how much time I wanted for my creative projects, how much time I needed for socializing, and any other necessities (i.e. a walk to the bakery for a cookie). I thought about previous wonderful, full days I had—and how to mimic them.
Then I tried to remind myself of this ideal day every time another obligation popped up, or I was having a crummy day and couldn’t figure out why.
But I made that list a long time ago. Things change. My friend Adam reminded me of this ‘ideal day’ exercise recently, and it encouraged me to write a new one.
So what’s your ideal day? And how many of the things you’re actually about to do today make that list?
“Tell me about yourself.”
Those four simple words are how legendary NPR host Terry Gross opens a new conversation with a stranger. Use the phrase at holiday parties, during networking events, with friends-of-friends. It’s open-ended enough that the other person feels comfortable, and avoids the clinical tone of “What do you do?” I like it.
Bradley Cooper talks about the creative process behind the six years making A Star Is Born in this half-hour talk at Google. (h/t Brother)
My two favorite bits, paraphrased:
“When you feel safe, when you feel motivated, and when you know that you're called upon to bring all of yourself—that’s the environment in which you can really thrive.”
“Everybody’s got talent, but having something to say, and say it in a way so that people listen, that's a whole other bag.”
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara