I recently attended the California Parks and Recreation Society Annual Conference: Connections 2024. It was here, I was reminded how important it is to have connections, collaborations and shared experiences with people outside your work environment.
As a long time parks and rec girl; I have worked in various positions within parks and recreation departments. I began my career as a lifeguard in Southern California at my local municipal pool. I’ve observed how easy it is to become absorbed in the tasks at hand, immersing oneself in projects without seeking outside perspectives. However, I’ve come to realize that this approach isn’t always the most effective or efficient.
Over the years, I’ve learned that reaching out and seeking insights from others enhances the quality of our work. The conference served as a powerful reminder that many individuals are ready and willing to lend a helping hand.
HOw making an effort to Reach OUt Helps Build connections
Reaching out to others extends far beyond the immediate benefits we might perceive. Consider the warmth you feel when someone takes the time to call or reach out, to connect, inquire, or share experiences. It’s a simple act that carries immense value in fostering genuine connections.
When researching the benefits of reaching out, I explored the reciprocal nature of these interactions, unveiling a profound appreciation people have for such efforts. This article sums up a few of the studies. In one recent study mentioned and led by Peggy J. Liu, PhD, the Ben L. Fryrear Chair in Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, the findings emphasized that our tendency to underestimate the impact of reaching out is widespread. This study revealed a mutual benefit on both ends of the interaction, echoing the sentiments of Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. According to Dr. Touroni, the act of connecting fulfills a basic human need, contributing not only to lower anxiety and depression but also to improved self-esteem and even immunity. Recognizing this, we realize that reaching out is a vital component of our shared humanity.
What if I Don’t Want to Be a Bother
While the concern of being a burden may resonate with many, it’s essential to recognize that connections also benefit. The potential loneliness, especially for those in roles where they stand alone in their expertise, dissipates with meaningful connections. The lone maintenance worker or the food and beverage manager, grappling with unique challenges, finds solace in these connections. Loneliness, often associated with physical isolation, transcends that notion – it emerges when shared experiences are absent. The acknowledgment that reaching out is a gesture of support, a bridge between isolated professional islands, challenges the idea of being a bother. Even brief exchanges, whether seeking advice, sharing a joke, or swapping stories, enrich our professional lives. They reinforce the fundamental truth that helping others feels inherently good.
Beyond its personal impact, reaching out is an investment in the well-being of others. While the fear of being perceived as a nuisance may linger, the reality is that our connections benefit in myriad ways Breaking the monotony of a potentially solitary work environment, fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. Imagine the lone maintenance worker or food and beverage manager – who do they turn to for help? As adults, we often associate loneliness with physical isolation, but true isolation occurs when shared experiences are absent. Even the simplest conversations, contribute positively to our mental state. They reinforce the idea that the act of reaching out is not only personally fulfilling but also beneficial.
In short, what you perceive to be a bother, others appreciate or even silently yearn for the feeling of connection that your small act of reaching out provides.
Confessions of a Lone Wolf
In the past, I hesitated to reach out to almost anyone, fearing they may question my competence. I never wanted people to think that I didn’t know how to do something. How ridiculous is that? If I’ve never done something before, how could I possibly get it right the first time without asking for guidance. I’ll tell you how I managed for quite some time: the internet.
Instead of reaching out to my vast network of friends and colleagues, I went at it alone. Which, I’ve got to say, was a pretty lonely experience and did not enhance my connections with anyone at all. It may have even contributed to me alienating myself from others because I never reached out. I was signaling to my connections that I didn’t need them. I was outwardly confident in areas that I was not actually that experienced in, but knew if I just worked harder that I could produce what was needed. How did it go, you ask? Fine but not swimmingly.
Changing my mindset
At one of the last networking events of the conference, I was speaking with one of my first supervisors and I asked her “What do you love about your life right now?” Her response was that being there reminded her just how important friendships are to her life, to the industry, and how much help she had received and given over the years. Her experience has been enriched by her many connections over the years and seeing old friends, making new friends, and making lasting memories was what this whole experience was about. That struck as me as so fundamental to being human.
Building connections transcends the routine, breathing life into our work and instilling a sense of shared purpose. As we navigate the intricate web of our careers, and lives, the symphony of collective experiences becomes a guiding force, echoing the sentiment that alone, we may move faster, but together, we undoubtedly go further.
Reflecting on Career Connections
As I drove home from the conference and reflected on that conversation, I found myself thinking about all the connections I’ve made over the years. And the times when reaching out has truly saved me…
Some individuals stand out for me: Tom Basaites, Brett Waterman, Bryan Kenzierski, Brenda Sylvia, Justin Caron, and Juleen Montoya. These remarkable people were always willing to provide guidance or lend an ear when I reached out. Whether it was to help me solve maintenance challenges, navigate staff issues, or simply provide a quick dose of motivation, these amazing individuals took the time to support me. Again and again.
Throughout my career, there are countless others whom I’ve reached out to, and they’ve helped me through various challenges. What’s more important to me now than ever is the realization that many people have also reached out to me! I’ve been genuinely happy to offer assistance and a chance to catch up with them! I am deeply grateful for all these connections and eagerly anticipate many more years of fostering meaningful friendships.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone I’ve connected with, whether or not we have directly “helped” each other, because just knowing that you’re there for me to reach out to is a significant contribution to my life. Where I would be without my connections? For anyone who needs a new connection, a new industry friend they can call for help, I’m here for it!
