Stop “Dis-ing” Yourself!
Step 2: Stop Disconnecting
We live in a realm of instant communication. In a few seconds we can contact a client across the
ocean, e-mail a colleague in another state, or Facebook our friends in the next town. Yet,
instantaneous wired communication does not guarantee connections. We can be isolated even
as we are connecting. As a result, we can become disconnected from the passions which fuel our
creativity and the people who inspire our dreams.
This is especially true if you spend a lot of time working alone, if you are your own boss, or are
new to your job, company or area.
Do stay wired – it’s important in the 21st Century – but if you find yourself faltering in your
progress because you lack the feedback and synergy of coworkers, it’s time to stop disconnecting.
Below are several ideas. Pick two that you will put to use over the next weeks.
OPTION 1: RECONNECT WITH YOUR PASSION
The first step in addressing isolating behavior is to reconnection with our passion. It’s our
passions that motivate us and prod us to connect with other people, because we have a desire to
share that passion.
A. What fuels you? What gives you drive, energy and excitement? What gets you up in the
morning? In 25 words or less, can you write a personal purpose statement that captures what
you are passionate about?
B. Make a commitment to start the day with silence and solitude. Sit in a comfortable chair with
your morning beverage and reflect on the day’s possibilities. Spend 5 minutes mentally (or in a
journal) considering how your to-do list connects with your passion. What commitment will you
make to incorporate this grounding habit?
I commit to: ______________________________________________________________
©2015 The Power of Possibilities, LLC
Website: thepopllc.com
OPTION 2: FIND A BRAINSTORMING BUDDY
The next step in addressing a tendency to disconnect is to find a person to think out loud with.
This is a mutual arrangement, so you are giving as well as receiving.
A. Name the people in your circle of friends and acquaintances who are creative and inspiring,
regardless of their own personal passions, interests, or field of work.
______________________________
_____________________________
______________________________
_____________________________
B. Name people who do similar work as you who seem to constantly come up with creative and
innovative ways to do things.
____________________________________ ___________________________________
____________________________________ ___________________________________
C. Which three people listed above would you feel comfortable approaching with the idea of
being a brainstorming buddy? List them here:
1.
2.
3.
D. Set up clear parameters before you contact them with the idea. For instance: If I get stuck
with an idea or need some feedback on a recent meeting or client interaction, can I call you for a
15-20 minute chat to help me think through it? It would never be more than once or twice a
month. I’ll do the same for you – be a brainstorming buddy.
My idea of how the brainstorming buddy system would work:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
E. Now, call or email the first person on your list. This is best by phone, but you could propose
the idea in an email and ask if you can follow up with a phone call.
I will call _____________________________________ on ___________ at ___ a.m./p.m.
©2015 The Power of Possibilities, LLC
Website: thepopllc.com
OPTION 3: CREATE OR JOIN AN ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Another way to connect with people is to create or join an accountability group. Some groups
have a paid facilitator or coach; others meet and share the facilitation. Some groups meet weekly
for an hour at a local coffee shop, others meet every several weeks for two hours with rotating
locations. Size varies, but a committed group of 4-5 people works best.
If you can’t find such a group you can create one of your own. Use the following questions to
outline your concept.
A. Create a brief description of what an accountability group would look like and offer. Include
such details as:

How frequently you would meet ______________________________________________

How long you would meet ___________________________________________________

Where you would meet _____________________________________________________

How many people would be in the group ______________________________________

Who would facilitate _______________________________________________________

Focus/goal of the group _____________________________________________________

Other details ______________________________________________________________
B. List people in your local area who might be interested in an accountability group.
_______________________________________
______________________________________
_______________________________________
______________________________________
_______________________________________
______________________________________
C. Send the people on your list an email with a description of the accountability group idea and
follow up with a phone call.
I will email potential accountability group members on __________at ___ a.m./p.m. and
follow up with a phone call on ______________ at _____ a.m./p.m.
D. Another option is to look for a virtual group that meets by phone or Skype. Again, if you can’t
find such a group, you can create your own using Free Conference Call or Skype.
©2015 The Power of Possibilities, LLC
Website: thepopllc.com
OPTION 4: WORK ON CONNECTIONS FIRST, CLIENTS SECOND
Networking is an essential part of growing your business and expanding your career. It’s also a
valuable way to stop disconnecting. Work on making connections with people first, and worry
about turning them into clients later.
A. List the area networking groups/events that you could attend. Include focused networking
groups, civic clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and professional associations.
______________________________
_____________________________
______________________________
_____________________________
______________________________
_____________________________
B. Choose one to begin with. Make a commitment to attend all the meetings.
I commit to: ___________________________________________________________
C. At each meeting, set a goal to talk to three new people. Follow these steps:
 Go with the attitude of having a conversation. Remember that hard sales pitches turn
people off. Ask questions about their business, job, and interests.

Get business cards from each of the three people; follow up with a “nice to meet you”
note in the mail or email.

Within two weeks send an email or a text asking they’d like to meet for coffee.

At this follow-up meeting, again take a casual, laid back approach – no hard sales. Simply
spend the time getting to know their “story.” Create a relationship.

Look for ways to be a resource of information or referrals.

Put the person on a mailing list. Several times a year drop them a postcard with an
inspiring quote or a piece of valuable information or a link to a great website.

After several months, start attending a second networking group, using steps above.
©2015 The Power of Possibilities, LLC
Website: thepopllc.com
OPTION 5: GET OUTSIDE AND RECONNECT TO NATURE
Getting reconnected to nature will help clear your mind, feel less stressed, and appreciate the
astounding variety of growing things in your neighborhood.
 Reconnect with nature by taking a daily 10-minute walk or having coffee or lunch at an
outdoor café.

When you drive on a local road, roll down the window and turn off the radio.

Plan a nature date one day a week where you spend at least an hour outside, walking,
hiking, sitting by a lake, or laying on a lounge chair in your backyard (or a nearby hillside
with less light pollution) looking at the stars.

Have your morning beverage on your front steps, porch, deck or balcony. Listen to the
birds and the wind in the trees.

Have at least one green, growing plant in your office.
I hope this worksheet has been helpful. Look for upcoming worksheets in this series
on the following topics
 Control Disorganization
 Overcome Discouragement
 Close the Distance Between Goals and Actions
Sincerely,
Kathleen King, President
The Power of Possibilities, LLC
©2015 The Power of Possibilities, LLC
Website: thepopllc.com