30 conversations in 30 days (rehumanizing the blogosphere)

People can be a huge source of energy and inspiration for me. Talking to people, hearing their stories, listening to their ideas, bouncing my ideas out there and listening to others' perspectives.  It all leaves me feeling amped up and juicy.

And yet, as a solo self-employed guy, I often find myself sitting isolated in my cave, hunkered down over my computer and convincing myself that the e-mail exchange I just had really was a meaningful human interaction.

I frequently resolve to reach out and connect with more people, but that typically only lasts for a conversation or two before the inertia of isolation overtakes me again. To change that, I decided I needed to turn it into a challenge.

My solution? 30 conversations in 30 days with people I've never actually spoken with (as in voice) before. No particular agenda to the conversations – just seeing what I learn, how I’m inspired, and what new ideas pop up.

I started my 30 days on Monday and have had six conversations so far (not  a bad start). It's been an incredibly fun, energizing, and learning-filled experiment, and there's more (much more) to come. 

It's been a great source of fuel for my week, one that I wholeheartedly recommend. It's too easy to forget the power of that person to person contact as we sit here busily clacking away on our keyboards. This week has been an excellent reminder of why it's important.

So far I've talked to (in order of appearance)...

[updated 12-19-07]

Phil Gerbyshak

Kevin Eikenberry

Bernie DeKoven

Kim and Jason Kotecki

Michael Werner

Joel Makower

Kammie Kobyleski

Matt Langdon

Susan Bernstein

Shea Gunther

Anne Swift

Rosa Say

David Zinger

Britt Bravo

Kimberly Pirtle

Judy Martin

Monica Ricci

Arnie Herz

Lori Herz

Colby Stuart

Adrian McEwen

Lara Galinsky

Troy Worman

As I was looking back over my conversations, I thought, "What a great way to rehumanize the blogosphere." Imagine if everybody started doing their own "30 in 30 Challenge." E-mail and blog posts are fine, but there's something about that real time ear-to-ear interaction that just takes the connection to the next level.

Why not try the "30 in 30 Challenge" for yourself (or the 20 in 20, or 10 in 10)? Who knows what would come out of it?

Update: The more I talk to people about this, the more it feels like an idea that could have a tremendous positive impact (more about why here). If you post about this, let me know and I'll add a link to your post here:

Shea Gunther
Who would you talk to? 30 conversations in 30 days

Adrian McEwen
Reaching out in November

Rosa Say
Learn to give a D30M: 30 conversations in 30 days

Michael Werner
30 in 30 - Rosengren experiment underway
A dream jobs challenge for you - 10 in 10

 

Check out The Occupational Adventure Guide

Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM

 

Comments

[Erin Blaskie]

Hi Curt!

I think that is a great idea! Just this week I touched base with all of my clients, letting them know I wanted to schedule bi-weekly, 30 minute calls with them so that we could connect and get to know one another better.

It is easy in the virtual world to forget that we're all human and that we actually 'exist' on the other end of the data line.

Great post and I love the blog!

Sincerely,

Erin Blaskie
Business Services, ETC
http://www.bsetc.ca

[CindyW]

Fantastic idea! I work in my home office on most days. As much as I enjoy the productivity and focus, I do miss connecting with people - cool people, well the definition of cool varies depending how many hours I haven't spoken with a real person :) Luckily I have two little girls. Whenever they are back from school in the afternoon, it's pretty much talking until their bed time. They are always cool in my book. But I get what you mean, connecting with cool big people. Thanks for the great suggestion!

[Jason of Kim & Jason]

I totally enjoyed our conversation, Curt! Thanks for thinking of the idea and for reaching out across the blogosphere!

As cool as technology can be, the human connection just can't be beat.

[Scott McArthur]

Very cool idea - let me know if you fancy a UK converstation and I'd be delighted to have a chat with you!

[Michael Werner]

Wow, Curt, what an incredible idea, and delighted that you chose me to be on the list. I really enjoyed our talk, and came away thinking about so many things I hadn't been thinking before.

There really might be something to this here new-fangled idea about actually TALKING to people once in awhile, eh?

Love the work your doing, and your new projects sound like winners. Keep it up, sir.

DM Werner

[Adrian McEwen]

Hi Curt,

I see you've seen my take on your challenge, but I'm not against connecting with people in not-Italian...

So if you're looking for any more people to talk to, drop me an email.

[David Zinger]

Good idea Curt.
I will adapt and adopt this idea in a way that works for me.
Look who's talking!
David

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Curt - it sure was fun talking to you. Hope the rest of your conversations are fantastic!

See you in Seattle sometime in 2008!

[Curt Rosengren]

Thanks Phil. It was uber-excellent talking to you as well! Looking forward to connecting face to face when you're in this neck of the woods.

[Akemi - Gratitude Magic]

Hi Curt!

I enjoyed talking with you the other day. This is really a revolutionary idea. Yes, there is a real person behind the blog! Although I have had the pleasure of exchanging emails with other bloggers, I never really thought about calling them. . . I can, I guess.

Thank you for the inspiration.
(BTW, I really think what you told me on the phone is so helpful for new coaches. Interested in contributing it to my blog if you are not using it here?)

[Akemi - Gratitude Magic]

Hi Curt!

I enjoyed talking with you the other day. This is really a revolutionary idea. Yes, there is a real person behind the blog! Although I have had the pleasure of exchanging emails with other bloggers, I never really thought about calling them. . . I can, I guess.

Thank you for the inspiration.
(BTW, I really think what you told me on the phone is so helpful for new coaches. Interested in contributing it to my blog if you are not using it here?)