Do you want to have conversations that matter?

Especially as we have been socially isolated over the last year, most of us are yearning for deeper human connections. The relationships we have with people in our lives matter now more than ever. Unfortunately, sometimes we do not reap all the benefits from our community because we keep our conversations and interactions superficial. A few years ago, my sister and I decided to have conversations that matter with each other and the people around us. It has been a rewarding change in our lives.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of and how to start having meaningful conversations.
 
What are meaningful conversations?

• Having a conversation that is important or useful in some way to the participants
• A meaningful conversation is one that has a purpose, but also, affords the participants the freedom to express themselves.

 
What are the benefits of having meaningful conversations?

• Gives us companions on our journey who see us for who we are
  
• Helps make everyone around us feel like they can be themselves
  
• Provides opportunities for us to bond with people in our community
  

 
How to start having more meaningful conversations
Sharing simple ways to approach having meaningful conversations with the people in your life:
 
#1: Aim to connect on a deeper level
Your intention and mindset when you start a conversation set the tone for how it will go. The best conversations happen when you really want to connect with the people you are talking to.
 
Questions to consider:

• How can you truly connect with this person?

 
#2: Make the person feel good
A great way to start a deeper connection is to make the person feel comfortable and seen. When I have deep conversations, I want the person to feel that they are enough, have achieved a lot and I care about them.
 
Questions to consider:

• What positive thing can you highlight about this person?

 
#3: Listen attentively to what they need
We all know the feeling you have when people really care about you. Give people the opportunity to share what they really need.
 
Questions to consider:

• How can you ensure that you really hear what they need?

 
#4: Offer your support
We all have something we can offer one another. Thinking about the ways you can contribute to their lives helps you have deeper connections.
 
Questions to consider:

• How can you help this person?

 
#5: Stay connected
The best part of having meaningful conversations is keeping them going. When you make deeper connections, you want to stay connected over time.
 
Questions to consider:

• How can we stay in touch over the next three months?

 
The Deeper Connection Challenge
We can all have meaningful conversations over the next weeks. Inspired by #Big Talk, I came up with ten questions we can start asking to help us have meaningful conversations.

1. How are you really doing?
2. What has brought you joy over the last year?
3. What goals are you working towards?
4. How can I help or contribute?
5. What challenges or barriers are you experiencing?
6. What have you accomplished lately?
7. What are you excited about in the future?
8. What have you discovered about yourself recently?
9. What do you want people to know about you?
10. What advice would you like to share with others?

 
Final Thoughts
The people in our lives will help us thrive and succeed. Now is a perfect time to make our connections matter.
 
Time for Reflection
Do you have conversations that matter?
Why do you want to have conversations that matter?
Who are you going to connect with over the next weeks?
 
Great resources

• [Ted Talk] How To Skip the Small Talk and Connect With Anyone | Kalina Silverman
• Big Talk - Skip the small talk, make meaningful connections
• Science says meaningful conversations make you happier – here’s how to have more of them
• [Ted Talk Playlist] The art of meaningful conversation
• How to Have More Meaningful Conversations
• Deep, Meaningful Conversations Always Have These 8 Things