A Conversation Resume?

   My wife and I recently started doing something we typically have not done.  We decided to make it a conscious effort and not just one of happenstance.  When we attend church each week we make an effort to meet at least one new person or couple!   I know that may sound trivial, but it is a purposeful thing that we focus on doing. We introduce ourselves and make sure we listen when they tell us their names. I even, very shortly after we meet, write their names down and refer back to it to keep that in my memory.  When we go the next time to church we try to seek them out and say hello once again, remembering their names and so forth. What this has done is we now know many more people and recognize them when we see them. We are able to much more easily strike up conversations and get to know one another as we go along. I have little doubt these people will grow to be even better friends as our relationships grow. 

  You might be thinking Chris what does this have to do with public speaking or Toastmasters?  I believe communication is more than just making a speech. I read a recent article in the Toastmasters magazine entitled: "Create a Conversation Resume".  It is a reflection of areas of your life that are great for a conversation. It is an intentional preparation for you to have some ideas to bring up in a conversation. This resume is something you can review prior to going to social events and so forth so you are prepared to be a most excellent conversationalist. An intentional way to connect with people!  I think most of us , of course, want our speeches to connect with our audience, It is no different in a conversation. 

 This resume is something that you can put together and use as a reminder of some things about you that would be great when in engaging in conversation. To quote the article

"It should include talking points about your daily life, personal background, notable experiences, and current events. Remember to review this résumé before you head to social events, and you’ll be able to keep up with just about anyone."

The article, which I will link at the bottom of this post. walks you through things like : 

  Daily life. What did you do over the weekend?  

  Personal: What are your hobbies?

  Notable: What are you five most unique experiences?

  Staying Current: What are some funny personal situations from the last week? 

  For some of you conversation is easy. Some people struggle with conversation and having a "prepared spontaneity" for potential conversations is just what they need to engage with people.   

   Developing this part of your life in my opinion will cross into other areas as well. Can you imagine you would better at table topics if you had developed a conversation resume? How about your social life? What about in an interview? How about just expanding your sphere of influence?   

   If it does nothing else but help you to make more friends I think that is most certainly worthy of the effort. 

The link to the article is here:  

https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2022/dec/conversation-resume