Blogging About Communication

THE COMMUNICATION MIX

Our focus this week is on processing your communication experiences in the physical world and online.

FIVE BIG QUESTIONS

Begin by asking yourself how you’re really doing when you move between the real world and the world of social networking. Take a few moments to think about how you change—how your identity changes—as you navigate back and forth. To help you, write down your answers to these questions:

1, Which connections feel stronger—those you work on in the physical world or those you build online? Which domain do you devote more of your time to? (Actually, clock yourself)

            2. Which connections feel more authentic?

            3. Which connections contribute to your experiencing more FOMO?

4. In which realm do you think those you connect with view you more accurately? More positively?

5. Ask at least two individuals you interacted with in person this week to provide you with three adjectives they would use to describe their face-to-face interactions with you. Then ask two individuals you only engaged with online to do the same.

DEBRIEF

What do answers suggest about the nature of your connections in the physical world and the digital world?  What do they suggest about your satisfaction and the satisfaction of your communication partner in each realm?  Then ask yourself if you are you making the right communication choices. In other words, do you choose to text or engage someone on social media when it would be better to be in the same physical space? Do you meet in person when it might be wiser to maintain some distance? Communication is a delicate balance. Is yours in synch with your needs? Do you spend more time on social media than you should? Are you giving your face-to-face abilities sufficient exercise? Having the communication scale imbalanced in favor of social media can lead to experiencing more anxiety than is healthy. It also can impede development of social skills.

YOUR GAME PLAN

This week’s game plan is to focus on achieving better balance in your communication exchanges with others.  Pay attention to making more time to connect with people in person. Doing so will deepen the nature of your relationship. Being face-to-face facilitates more accurate interpretation of thoughts and feelings. It also allows for the creation of stronger bonds.