Serendipity is in the mind of the sagacious witness. It is in the eyes of the beholder and listener.
The serendipity freak
is a person who has the unwavering mindset of engineering serendipity
encounters and attracting them into their life in a systematic way.
I’m a serendipity freak.
Here's a wide foray into the skills and actions of the guerrilla
serendipity freak and the psychological profile of one.
Guerrilla Serendipity captures
a fascinating idea: proactively influencing fortunate life situations and taking
actions to encounter joyful discoveries. It’s about going beyond waiting for “happy
accidents” to happen.
Engineered
Serendipity describes an approach where I actively create
situations or take actions that increase the likelihood of encountering random happy
accidents or fortunate discoveries.
I realized the fact that I live in an environment flooded and
soaked through and through with infinite serendipity opportunities. Serendipity
is in the air we all breathe; in the water we drink and the food we eat.
I accepted this reality and turned it into a mindset. At the
same time, I stopped using the words “luck” or “chance”.
~ First step in the journey of the serendipitous life is to
accept the statement above. Accept it. You
don’t create serendipity anymore that you create energy. Energy is out there. Serendipity is like
energy. Serendipity is available to anyone who perceives it. People
perceive serendipity using their innate sagacity.
~ Be a Sage. Be
Sagacious. Acquire sagacity and live sagaciously.
Everyone has what it takes to be, to live and act sagaciously.
Sagacity is the quality of
being discerning, wise, and farsighted. It's the ability to evaluate
information before deciding. Have you ever heard of the Sage of Omaha?
~ Summon and enter the mental state of serendipity
awareness.
Summon serendipity awareness using your conscious and
subconscious prevailing mindset. That’s the fundamental step before embarking
on a serendipitous life journey.
Once you enter the serendipity awareness state – you’ll never leave
it.
~ Think Serendipity.
Think serendipity while awake. Dream serendipity while you are
asleep. Contemplate serendipity all your life.
Our conception in momma’s uterus was a result of a serendipitous
encounter between two people – her and dad. We were successfully conceived through
a serendipitous encounter.
Each one of us, whoever we are and wherever we are in life stay
as a sum total of innumerable serendipitous meetings that we made with other
folks and our environment.
~ Start writing in your daily planner a list of all expected
serendipitous events of the day. Ask and expect serendipity encounters to come
your way all your waking hours.
~ My daily mantra is: “Today and every day I
walk on Serendipity Lane”.
Adopt this mantra.
There is serendipity in the air I breathe. I kid you not.
Sagacious people believe and feel that there is gold dust in
the air they breathe. Because of their serendipity mindset they work with, and
act with the gold dust premise that is in their air. (Scientifically, Earth's atmosphere contains
gold atoms in very small quantities. The main components of air are nitrogen
and oxygen, about 99% of the atmosphere.
Trace amounts of other rare elements are also present. Gold atoms are present in minuscule quantities
in the air and undetectable by most people.
The source of gold is coming from ongoing volcanic eruptions or falling meteorites.)
I wish I knew, understood, and internalized this wealthy
mindset earlier in my life.
~ Make this experiment. Go buy five sequentially numbered
state lottery tickets. Scratch them. You’ll witness serendipity in your life.
BTW, if you win $1,000 consider sharing with me 10% of your winning prize.
~ Live your life in Serendipity Awareness.
For this purpose, you must abandon your comfort zone.
~ Exit your comfort zone. It will feel awkward at the start.
~ Unleash your inner guerrilla serendipity.
Recall – guerrilla serendipity is the approach where I
actively create or design situations and sagaciously take actions that increase
my chances of encountering happy happenstances and fortunate discoveries.
~ Embrace as many “fringes” in your life as you encounter.
To embrace the fringes, you must leave the mainstream’s
comfort zone.
~ Become a “Deviant”. Don’t imitate the crowds of useful idiots.
Don't be afraid to break the mold. Challenge conventional
thinking and explore the unorthodox.
~ Seek the Obscure. Expect
ambiguity.
Delve into forgotten libraries, dusty archives, and unexplored
corners of the internet. You’ll unearth hidden gems.
Ask smart questions, such as: what is known, what if, now
what, so what.
~ Reframe Problems.
Instead of approaching problems head-on, look at them from a
completely different angle. This will lead you to unexpected solutions
~ Become a Master of Observation.
~ Be a Fly on the Wall. Be an eavesdropper.
Develop the ability to observe situations without interfering.
This allows you to pick up on subtle cues and nuances.
~ Go on People Watch.
As you watch them analyze how they behave in different places.
Act as a research anthropologist. Look for nonverbal cues and patterns of interaction.
Go out to public events. Observe fellow
air travelers in international airports.
~ Assemble and Cultivate a “Network of the Unlikely”.
A Network of the Unlikely in social settings refers to a group
of people who wouldn't typically connect because of their backgrounds,
interests, or social circles, differences in age, profession, hobbies. Meet people
other than your tribe, who are socially and culturally different.
~ Always be the first to introduce yourself to strangers.
(Break out of your comfort zone).
I introduce myself in the James Bond, 007 style that is: “Bond, James Bond.”
So, I always introduce myself: “Lender. Mandy Lender.” The other party is taken uneasy - out of their
comfort zone. Try it!
~ Listen to people.
Their stories give cues to what they want or what they need.
~ Collect Stories.
Everyone has a unique story.
Listen intently to others and find the extraordinary in the
ordinary. Learn from other people’s stories.
~ Determine to become a Social Connector. Actively introduce people from different
walks of life to each other. You never know what sparks might fly.
~ Never Eat alone.
This is more than a best-selling book. It’s
a business application Bible. If you
want to engineer serendipity this is a must read text - it’s a
philosophy of life – it’s a 21st century version of how to win
friends an influence people.
~ Share your bread with others.
“Cast your bread upon the waters” is a phrase from
Ecclesiastes 11:1. The verse continues, “for after many days you will find it
again”. Some say the verse is about investing money in foreign trade and means that
if you invest wisely in a broad market, you will eventually make a profit.
Ask the Sage of Omaha how that
worked for him. I say spread your knowledge with others.
TECHNIQUES
AND TRICKS FOR ENGINEERED SERENDIPITY
Beware: comfort zone blocks serendipity. Stay out of your comfort zone.
~ Embrace the “Serendipity Six” Technique.
This is a technique taken from the class in Engineered
Serendipity. I identify six people in my network (FB friends, LI contacts, club
members) with which I can exchange on the face of it, offhand, random
information and more connections.
Who are the Serendipity Six?
Imagine you have six friends making a large group chat. But
instead of just sharing memes and playing videos, you use it for some creative
brainstorming. That's kind of the vibe of the "Serendipity Six."
There are other ways.
Here's the action plan:
1.
Pick Your Crew Members. Grab six people you know who are into
different stuff. Maybe your techie buddy, your grandma who's a whiz at
gardening, and that artist friend who always sees the world differently.
2.
Dump Random Info.
Every now and then, you toss some interesting idea into the group chat.
It could be a cool article you found, a random question bouncing around in your
head; a how to do it yourself question; or even a problem you're stuck on.
3.
Connection Magic.
The idea is that these seemingly unrelated things might spark connections
in someone else's mind. Maybe your techie friend has a solution to your
problem, or your grandma's gardening tip inspires the artist for their next
masterpiece painting.
Explainer: It's
about using the power of weak ties – those connections outside your
close circle that can open doors to new ideas and opportunities.
Think of it like this: you're planting seeds of information,
and you never know what kind of cool stuff might grow from them! It's not a guaranteed path to riches, but
it's a fun way to shake things up and see where it leads.
It’s “brainstorming-lite”. Duh.
You got “a situation?”
Any situation is also a serendipity encounter.
~ Experiment With “the Situation” and Act on It.
"Experiment with the Situation and Act" means transforming
to a casual vibe:
1. Try Stuff Out. Try the situation stuff out.
Imagine your favorite restaurant has long lines. Instead of
just waiting (because, hungry!), you check if they take call-ahead orders or
see if there's a quicker option on their menu. That's you
"experimenting" (trying something different) and "acting"
(taking control).
2. Messing Around (in a good way).
Science experiments are basically cool kids messing around as
in a lab (safely, of course!). They see something weird, tinker around in the
garage, so they tweak things like temperature or add funky chemicals (with
adult supervision!) to see what happens next. Experiment with the situation and
then act on it!
3. Think Outside the Box. Always.
You overslept for work – oops!
Instead of freaking out, you check traffic and see if there's a faster
route, maybe even consider working from home if possible. Boom! Experiment with
the bad situation (oversleeping) and acting to (hopefully) avoid a worse
outcome (getting fired).
4.
Step Out of Your comfort zone.
Yes! I can’t understate this emotional obstacle enough.
Feeling awkward at a party? That's common! Instead of just standing there, introduce
yourself to a stranger. It’s easier than
you think. Try striking up a conversation with someone who looks friendly; or
find others who share your interests. Experimenting with the situation (the
party) and acting (to make it more fun)!
Decide
to be the life of the party.
Basically, do not let situations control you.
Get creative, try new things, and see what works best. It's
about being a problem-solver and making the most of any situation!
Cultivate your in-born survival skills and talents of ingenuity
mindset. Ingenuity is the root
word of engineering. Engineers are problem solver folks - solution oriented.
Experiment in your daily life - socially, professionally, and artistically.
~ Embrace Constraints.
This may sound insane. Constraints or restrictions often seem like
limitations. But not inevitably so. Some limitations are self-delusional.
If you’ve constraints, you must look around and search for
ways and means to bypass them.
It is the limitations that spark creativity, once you decide
to overcome them.
We use constraints to find resourceful innovative solutions. Necessity
is the mother of creativity. Think of the scientist who made a groundbreaking
discovery with limited equipment.
~ Prototype Quickly.
Create. Execute, Build.
Take solutions and try them.
Don't wait for everything to be perfect. There is no
“perfection” in the real world. Consider life as a Lego playbox. Build rough
prototypes and test them early and often. This allows you to iterate quickly
and learn from your mistakes.
Serendipity Workout
Serendipity workout strengthens our engineering serendipity
skills.
Serendipity
Hunting
Serendipity hunting requires going out physically and being
out and about. Go into the public arena, shaking hands with people and gabbing
with them. Small talk is a useful skill.
Hunt in unique places – stores, libraries golf courses, ribbon
cutting events, car dealership showrooms, bar and grills, funerals, town hall
meetings, school boards sports arenas and stadiums. Transit union stations, airports (- I love
international airports), VIP lounges and art exhibits. Serendipity hunting is a
part time job if you do it correctly, and in-depth.
~ Serendipity Sundays.
Dedicate one day a week for serendipitous explorations.
Take a random class. Visit an unfamiliar museum; or strike up a conversation
with a stranger. (Here we go Again!).
Let's ditch the lecture hall and dial it up to chill.
Here are more ideas on how to turn one day a week into an
awesome exploration mission:
~ Gear Up for
Randomness.
Pick a Loose Vibe (optional). Maybe this week's about uncovering hidden
artsy corners, or just soaking up the town's weirdness. You may decide to go
bird watching. Whatever sparks your curiosity, go with it! Remember, keep it loose - let the day take you
wherever it wants.
Adventure
Backpack (kind of a backpack). Grab a notebook to capture cool stuff, your
phone (Duh, pictures taking and info sources), some water to stay hydrated, and
a few bucks for unexpected finds or bus fare. Think of it as your "day of
awesome" toolkit.
Ø Let's Get
Weird.
~ Ditch Your Usual
Haunts. Explore a part of town you
wouldn't normally hit up. Talk to that interesting stranger at the coffee shop.
Try that quirky activity you've been eyeing – even if you think you might stink
at it. The goal? Leave your comfort zone and see the world (and yourself) in a
new light.
~ Curiosity is Your
Captain. Follow your nose
(metaphorically)! See a cool shop? Dive
in! Hear some banging music? Track it
down! Don't be afraid to get sidetracked – those unplanned detours can lead to
the best discoveries.
~ Be a Daytime
Detective. Document your finds! Jot
down cool stuff you see, funny things people say, or even how you're feeling.
Don't worry about making sense – random observations might spark something
later. Then, post it on your Facebook or TikTok page.
Ø Unearthing
the Awesome.
~ Debrief Your Day. After
your adventure, chill out and reflect. Did you learn something new? Maybe
conquer fear? Spark an interest in something totally unexpected? Write down your experience.
~ Publish your serendipity
hunting expedition discoveries on your indie blog site. Tag other
celebrities. I do that. If you wish to
encounter serendipity you have to expose yourself to others.
~ Did I mention that
you must have a personal blog? Well, I’m
saying it here. It doesn’t cost a dime.
Blogger.com, Wordpress.com Medium Substack and
more. Expose yourself to the blogosphere.
~ Connect the Dots. See
how your “finds” fit into your life. Can you use that new skill you learned?
Did you gain a perspective that might influence something you’re working on?
~ Seed the Next
Adventure. Based on your day, brainstorm what you want to
explore next week. Maybe that historical marker sparked a local history
obsession, or that random chat ignited a passion for a new culture. Let your
curiosity be your guide!
Basically, serendipity hunting day is the day to ditch the
routine and open to the unexpected.
My house is eight blocks away from Frank
Lloyd Wright home in Oak Park Il. I visited there with guests
repeatedly.
Dedicate a day every week or two to explorations like this,
you'll be building a life full of surprises, constantly expanding your
horizons, and who knows, you might just stumble onto something incredible. So,
grab your phone, a notebook, and your sense of adventure – let’s go find some
awesomeness!
~Go Geocaching. Get
started with geocaching.
~ Play GeoGuessr. I do. I enrich my geographic knowledge.
It’s time for all of us to start visiting places we never been
to before. We can start by visiting
virtually. I visited the Galapagos Archipelago and encountered iguanas of all
colors and all kinds – terrestrial, maritime and in between species.
~ Publicize yourself on the internet.
Guerrilla publicity doesn’t cost money. It is the simplest cost-free modality to
create Engineered Serendipity encounters. The wider my exposure is to the world the
greater are my opportunities for random serendipity encounters. The formula for
guerrilla serendipitous marketing is:
GS=ABC (Guerrilla Serendipity=Anything But Cash).
~ Have Your Profile
posted on LinkedIn, and Facebook. Note: if you can’t tolerate – (being too
shy) personal publicity, then serendipity skips you.
~ Publish your own
blog. I publish 6 personal blogs. Search and find my blogs on #Google or #Bing.
~ Acquire, Internalize, and Sustain the Guerrilla
Serendipity Mindset.
~ Think Like a Child. Children have an insatiable curiosity and a
willingness to experiment. Reconnect with your inner child and embrace a
playful approach to problem-solving.
~ Accept and Embrace
Failure. Don't be afraid to fail. Failures are steppingstones
to success. Learn from them and keep moving forward. I once wrote an essay on
the “Advantages of Failure”.
~ Trust Your Intuition. Don’t
discount your gut feelings. Intuition is
our powerful built-in sense organ. Pay attention to those hunches and see where
they lead you. Trust yourself.
~ Embrace the “Power of
Maybe”. Get comfy with ambiguity. Not everything needs
a definitive answer now. Sometimes, beauty lies in the exploration of the
unknown. Galileo Galilei the great astronomer explored the skies and discovered
four moons
of Jupiter serendipitously.
Profile of A
Guerrilla Serendipity Freak
The guerrilla serendipity freak blends several personality traits:
The Skeptical Optimist. They question assumptions but believe in the
possibility of encountering the extraordinary.
The Relentless Connector. The
freak serendipitor actively seeks out connections
between seemingly disparate ideas and
different people.
The Open-Minded Observer. The
freaks are curious about the world and willing to see things from different
perspectives. To the freak the world view is kaleidoscopic.
The Playful Experimenter. The
freaks embrace experimentation and they are not afraid to take calculated
risks.
Ø Guerrilla
Serendipity: Engineering of Happy Accidents
While the term "guerrilla serendipity" captures a
fascinating idea: actively influencing situations to increase the likelihood of
fortunate discoveries. It's about going beyond just waiting for happy accidents
to happen and instead taking a proactive approach. Guerrilla serendipity is a
sub-track under the freakiness passion for Adventurism.
Remember: Guerrilla Serendipity is free: GS=ABC
Here are more ways to trigger guerrilla serendipity in our lives:
1. “Nice Meeting You.”
- Become a Curator of Encounters:
~ Embrace the Unplanned
Random Events: Schedule some "blank
space" in your day or week. Take a different route to work, explore a
random corner of a bookstore, or attend a meet-up on an unfamiliar topic. These unscripted moments can spark unexpected
connections or ignite your curiosity in a new direction.
~ Become a Conversation
Catalyst: Strike up conversations with people from
diverse backgrounds. Ask open-ended questions and be genuinely interested in
their experiences. You will discover hidden gems of knowledge or perspectives
that could fuel your own creativity.
Ø 2. Maneuver
Around Like a Guerrilla Serendipity Tactician:
The key here is to embrace the unexpected, and experiment with
it in a playful spirit, and leverage constraints as steppingstones to happy
accidents.
~ Resourceful
Innovation: Similar to guerrilla marketing’s
resourcefulness, approach any challenges with a "Let’s make it work" mentality.
Limited resources can breed innovation.
For instance, a painter with a restricted palette might discover a new
way to mix colors, leading to a unique style.
~ Regard Constraints as
Steppingstones: Reframe
limitations as triggers of opportunities.
A writer with a short deadline might be forced to be more concise,
leading to a story of greater impact.
Ø The Power
of Playful Disruption:
~ Random Acts of
Collaboration: Step outside your usual social circle and
collaborate with someone from a completely different field. A musician working with a programmer, for
example, could lead to a groundbreaking new musical sound instrument.
~ Juxtapose the
Unjuxtaposable: Combine unrelated concepts in your line of work
or hobbies. This "controlled
chaos" can spark unexpected insights and lead to serendipitous
discoveries. Aisles of a bookstore are
literally lined with serendipitous ideas.
By incorporating these elements of guerrilla serendipity, you
transform yourself from a passive observer to an active architect of fortunate
encounters.
& & &
I have three pillars that constitute and support the art and
craft of engineered serendipity.
Their acronym is – SAS.
S stands for Sagacity
A means Adventurism
S is Sociality
& & &
First
Pillar: SAGACITY
Sagacity is a life skill.
Sagacity is a survival mechanism.
You don’t learn sagacity in school. Our universities don’t offer sagacity
classes, although it should be introduced as a requirement class to college
freshmen. Our universities and colleges (except one) don’t offer a life skills
class. Sagacity is the quality of having
or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment. It's essentially a
synonym for wisdom, shrewdness, and insight.
A person with sagacity is like a skilled chess player
who can anticipate their opponent's moves and plan their own strategy
accordingly. They possess a deep understanding of the game and can make smart
decisions even in complex situations.
In simple terms – Sagacity means to me - I observe an opportunity
or encounter a serendipitous event I grab it.
While we live in anticipation and expectation of a
serendipity encounter, we are inclined occasionally to put a barrier to a potential
serendipity encountering us.
The word “no”, is a serendipity blocker.
Time is a Canvas:
Serendipity needs space to unfold.
Just as an artist needs an empty canvas, our mind needs unscheduled time
space to make and accept unexpected connections and welcome new ideas. Rushing
from appointment to appointment leaves no room for these happy accidents.
The Time of "Doing Nothing" is Doing
Something: Quiet contemplation is a
fertile ground for serendipity. By letting go of directed thought, we allow
your subconscious to work its magic, connecting seemingly disparate ideas and
leading us down unexpected paths.
~ Unplugging is
Key: In our hyper-connected world, the continued
notifications and information overload disrupt the flow of spontaneous thoughts
essential for serendipity. Disengaging from our surroundings allows us to tune
into our inner world and be receptive to chance encounters and insights.
~ Openness, Not
Objectives: Serendipity is about
discovery, not goal achievement. Approaching our "serendipity time"
without a specific goal allows our mind to wander freely, increasing the
likelihood of stumbling upon something truly novel.
Here are some action tips to enhance our serendipity lifestyle
habits:
~ Varying our
environment: While quiet contemplation
is key, changing our physical surroundings sparks new connections. Exploring a
new park, visiting a museum, or simply taking a different route on our way to
work.
~ We Need to
Engage with Diverse Perspectives:
Exposing ourselves to different ideas and viewpoints. Reading books
outside our usual genres, striking up conversations with people from different
backgrounds, or attend lectures on unfamiliar topics.
~ We Have to
Embrace the Unexpected: That means to
be open to detours and diversions. Sometimes the most serendipitous moments
occur when we deviate from our planned course.
By consciously creating space and time for serendipity
encounters, we bring more creativity, joy, and meaning into your life.
Second
Pillar:
ADVENTURISM
THAT BROODS SERENDIPITY
Imagine yourself as a renegade randomness
wreaker, (RRr), a wild card in the world of finding cool stuff. Here's
how to unleash and set free our inner "guerrilla serendipity freak".
The
Three Princes of Serendip were adventurers under the instruction of the father
the King.
- Be a rebel with a
cause: Ditch the mainstream. Explore the weird, forgotten corners of the
internet, the libraries, your town or your country. You never know what
hidden gems you'll unearth.
- Turn into a detective: Become a
master observer.
Act like an uber spy in plain clothes.
Pick up on those subtle details everyone else misses. Practice people watching
– what are the stories behind their faces? The best place to watch crowds of different
people of diverse nationalities is the international airport. But this is
another long story coming up elsewhere.
- Become a weirdo
matchmaker: Introduce the Goth kid in you to your grandma who knits monster
hats. You might be surprised by the mental sparks that fly. Every person
has a story – listen closely, there's gold in those unexpected tales. And
hey, collect six random people you know – swap crazy stories with them
every so often. You never know what wild connections you might cook up.
- Level up your
tinkering skills: As said, limitations
are our new best friend. Use what you've got to get creative. Think “duct
tape and cardboard” inventions – sometimes those lead to the next big
thing. Don't wait for everything to be perfect – build a rough plan and
dive in, test it, tweak it, repeat!
- Embrace the
randomness detour: Dedicate a Sunday to the
unexpected. Take a random class, visit a museum you've never heard of, go
into the woods, strike up a conversation with a stranger with a friendly
dog. Who knows what wacky adventure awaits?
Basically,
act as a curious kid on a sugar rush, forever asking "why?" and never
afraid to try something new.
- Screw-ups are your
friends: Failing is part of the game. Learn from your blunders and bounce
back stronger.
- Trust your gut: That feeling
in your tummy might be exactly what you need to listen to. Don't be afraid
to follow a hunch; see where it takes you.
- ‘Maybe’ is magical: Not everything
needs an answer right away. The beauty is in the exploration. Embrace the
unknown!
The
Guerrilla Serendipity Crew:
- The Optimist Skeptic: An optimist skeptic questions everything
but believes in the random realm of the extraordinary.
- The Connector with a
Cape: They're all about making unexpected connections between ideas and
people. People connectors, side connectors, resources connectors, pool
investors.
- The Open-Minded Spy: They see the
world from all angles and are curious about everything. They go on field trips, read rare books,
shop at hit-and- miss secondary stores.
TJ Maxx is a classic example. You never know what you’ll find
there.
- The Playful Mad
Scientist: They experiment and take calculated risks. They tinker in their
basement lab.
By following these habits
and tactics and letting your freak flag fly, you'll be a serendipity magnet in
short order. Remember, serendipity encounters are a habit and a skill we learn,
so let’s get out there and start wreaking some happy havoc in the world!
Third
Pillar: SOCIALIZING SPAWNS SERENDIPITY
Dash to Social Encounters.
Seek social opportunities to say: “Nice to meet you”.
Ø Leverage
Organizations and Communities
~ Professional and
Trade Associations: Be an active member
of organizations related to your industry. Attend conferences, workshops, and
networking events to meet like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and
stumble upon opportunities for collaboration.
~ Social Clubs and
Hobby Groups: Pursue your passions and interests by joining and
attending clubs or groups dedicated to activities you enjoy. Whether it's a
book club, sports team, speaking clubs or volunteer organizations, you'll
connect with people who share your enthusiasm, fostering natural conversations
and potential friendships.
~ Community and Civic
Organizations: Get involved in your local community by
volunteering and participating in civic organizations. There we meet people who
are passionate about making a difference in the community; you’ll expand your network
and encounter unexpected opportunities to collaborate or contribute your
skills. Join the friends of the library, friends of the zoo, friends of the
museum.
~ Alumni
Associations: Stay connected with your alma mater by joining
alumni associations. Attending reunions, networking events, or mentorship
programs to reconnect with former classmates. Expand your professional network,
and likely discover new career paths or business ventures.
Ø Embrace
Regular Social Interactions
~ Co-working Spaces and
Shared Offices: If you're a freelancer or remote worker,
consider joining a co-working space or shared office. You'll be surrounded by
other professionals, creating opportunities for spontaneous conversations,
collaborations, and the exchange of ideas.
~ Industry-Specific
Conferences: Stay abreast of the latest trends and
developments in your field by attending industry-specific meetups and
conferences. Attend and connect with
experts, potential mentors, and future collaborators, expanding your knowledge
and network.
~ Cultural Events and
Festivals: Immerse yourself in the local culture by
attending art exhibitions, music festivals, and cultural events. You'll meet
people from diverse backgrounds, spark interesting conversations, and
potentially discover shared interests or hidden talents.
~ Workshops and
Classes: Enroll in workshops or classes related to your
interests or professional development. You'll learn new skills, meet people
with similar goals, and potentially form study groups or collaborative
projects.
Ø Explore! Explore Beyond Your Comfort Zone
~ Travel and Adventure: Embark
on trips or group adventures to new destinations. You'll meet people from
different cultures, experience unexpected situations, and create lasting
memories that can lead to serendipitous
encounters.
~ Volunteering and
Community Service: Dedicate some time and skills to a cause
you're passionate about. There we meet individuals who share our values, and
potentially encounter unexpected opportunities or connections.
~ Open Mics and
Creative Events: If you have a talent or creative pursuit,
attend open mics, poetry slams, or other creative events. You'll share your
passion, connect with other artists, and find collaborators or supporters for
your projects.
Ø Cultivate
a State of Open and Receptive Mindset
Ø Remove
the mental barriers to the social world around you.
~ Be Approachable and
Engaging: Smile, make eye contact, and be
open to chat with strangers. Strike up exchanges in coffee shops, on
public transportation, or while waiting in line. You never know who you might
meet or what opportunities might arise.
My friend Chuck met Cindy, the love of his life while standing
in line for morning coffee at McDonalds. So did she. That’s material for a
romantic story. (If you’re looking for a writing prompt or a movie script).
~ Be Curious and Ask
Questions: Show genuine interest in others and their stories. Ask
open-ended questions, listen
actively, and engage in thoughtful conversations.
We learn new things, broaden our perspectives, and potentially
uncover shared interests or unexpected connections, by practicing social
behavior.
~ Act Generously and Be
Helpful: Offer your assistance
or expertise to others whenever possible. Small acts of kindness can go a long
way in building relationships and creating a positive impression.
~ Embrace Spontaneity: Be
open to unexpected invitations, last-minute plans, or detours from your
routine. Serendipity encounters happen when you step outside your comfort zone
and embrace the unknown.
~ Carry Your Business
Card Everywhere. Hand them out. If you
authored and published a book, give book copies away. My published books are my best business
cards. No one tosses a book as they often do to business cards. If appropriate
I sign my book and even dedicate it to contacts.
Serendipity
is about creating opportunities for random encounters
and being
open to the possibilities that arise.
By actively engaging in social activities, expanding our
network, and cultivating a curious and receptive mindset, we increase our
chances of experiencing those magical moments of serendipity that enrich our
life in unexpected ways.
Casually Meet Cool People to Boost Serendipity
Encounters
Ø Get Out
and About
~ Coffee Shops &
Cafeterias: Grab a book or your laptop and head to a local
coffee shop. Strike up a conversation
with someone while waiting in line or find a study buddy for the afternoon. I
like to go out to Barnes
& Noble bookstore. I pick up off the shelves a few
interesting titles, order Chai Latte, and browse in the cafeteria. Ditto
B&N cafeteria is also a social club.
~ Parks & Outdoor
Spaces: Take a walk,
go for a jog, or have a picnic in the
park. We’re likely encounter other
people enjoying the outdoors, creating opportunities for casual chats or shared
activities.
~ Bookstores &
Libraries: Browse the shelves, attend author readings, or
join a book club. You'll connect with fellow bookworms and discover new
literary gems.
~ Museums & Art
Galleries: Immerse yourself in art and culture while
potentially meeting someone who shares your interests. Strike up a conversation
about a particular exhibit or artist.
I attend annually the ExpoChicago of
international modern art in Navy Pier. Admission is expensive but the exhibits
are amazing. The exhibitors and the
galleries assemble and come from all over the world. They are fascinating folks
to meet and chat with. I take photos right and left of the art installations and
the fascinating folks, if they permit…
~ Local Events &
Festivals: Check out community
calendars for farmers' markets, craft fairs, music festivals, lollapalooza,
foodfest, air and water show, NASCAR Chicago street race and other local
events. These gatherings offer a fun and relaxed atmosphere for meeting new
people.
Ø Find Your
Tribe
~ Gather a
tribe.
Make it your tribe. Attract your tribe folks with tribal stories
and activities.
~ Sports Leagues & Fitness Classes: Join a
recreational sports league or fitness class. You get some exercise while
bonding with teammates or fellow fitness enthusiasts.
~ Hobby Groups & Meetups: Whether you're into photography, board games,
or hiking, there's likely a group or meetup for you. Connect with people
who share your passions.
~ Volunteer
Opportunities: Give back to your community while meeting
like-minded individuals. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or
community garden. I volunteer in a charity medical clinic. There I get to meet doctors,
other philanthropists and businesspeople.
~ Language Exchange
Groups: If you want to learn a new language, join a
language exchange group. You'll practice your skills while connecting with
people from different cultures.
~ Online Communities
& Forums: Participate in online communities or forums
related to your interests. You might find local meetups or events organized by
these groups.
~ Be a club
member. Join civic clubs. Join
Toastmasters Int. Get membership of your
local Chamber of Commerce. Read more of
that serendipity rich resource below.
~ List your profile (anonymously)
on an on-line dating site. Discover who
else is there.
~ Please - Don’t be a
recluse.
Never.
Ø Get a
Personality Upgrade - Stay Open - Expect New Experiences.
~ Say "Yes” - Often: Be
open to spontaneous invitations and last-minute plans. Step outside your
comfort zone and try something new.
~ Go on Blind Dates. Check out the profile of Miriam Adelson on
Wikipedia. She went on a blind date and later inherited a $30 billion fortune
according to Forbes
magazine.
Was that a happy serendipity encounter, or what?
~ Strike Up
Conversations: Don't be afraid to chat with people you
encounter in your daily life. Compliment someone's outfit, ask for a
recommendation, or simply say Hello. I say Hello to folks who walk their dog in
front of my house.
~ Be an Attentive
Listener: Show genuine interest in others and their
stories. Ask questions and actively engage in conversations.
~ Be Yourself: Let
your personality shine through. People are drawn to authenticity and genuine
connections.
~ Have Fun in
Gatherings: Relax and enjoy the feelings of meeting new
people. ~ Take photos with people as socially appropriate. Every opportunity is
a photo opportunity. Post your pics on
FB and IG.
& & &
BONUS TIP: How to get the most from your local Chamber of
Commerce.
Based on my years of experience to get the most from your
local Chamber of Commerce, consider these key strategies:
Actively Participate and Engage in Chamber Activities!
~ Attend Events Regularly attend networking events, workshops,
and seminars to connect with other members, learn new skills, and stay informed
about local business developments.
Okay. I know that your time is more valuable than the
membership fee. But who may get seated next to you? Millionaires and diplomats. Wow. I got
serendipity stories to tell.
~Join Committees. Volunteer on Chamber committees that align
with your interests and expertise. This provides opportunities to contribute,
build relationships, and gain visibility within the Chamber and your business
community.
~ Use the Online
Directory: Leverage the Chamber's online directory to
find potential customers, suppliers, and partners.
~ Attend Ribbon
Cuttings & Grand Openings: Support fellow Chamber members and show your
community spirit by participating in these events.
~ Utilize Chamber
Resources: Take advantage of educational programs,
business counseling services, and marketing opportunities offered by the
Chamber.
Networking and Relationship Building.
~ Build Relationships: Focus
on building meaningful relationships with other Chamber members, rather than
just making sales pitches.
~ Exchange Business
Cards: Always carry your business cards and actively
exchange them with others. Hand out your published book. A business card is
frequently tossed. Your published book is placed on a shelf.
~ Follow Up: After
meeting someone, send a personalized follow-up email or message to keep the
connection alive.
~ Engage on Social Media: Connect with other Chamber members on social media
platforms and participate in online discussions. I can’t repeat it enough.
~ Offer Referrals: Help
other members by referring potential customers or partners when appropriate.
Promote Yourself and your Business.
~ Volunteer to Speak:
Share your expertise by volunteering to speak at Chamber events or
workshops.
~ Sponsor Events or Host
an Event: Increase your visibility by sponsoring events
or programs in your business place.
By actively participating, building relationships, and taking
advantage of the Chamber's resources, you maximize the benefits of your membership.
Building meaningful connections takes time and effort. Serendipity happens randomly when you're not
actively seeking it.
Have patience with yourself and enjoy the social journey of
meeting strangers and expanding your social circles. You never know who you might meet or what
adventures await!
By cultivating this mindset and adopting these tactics, you
increase your chances of encountering happy accidents that lead to
breakthroughs and innovation. Remember, serendipity is a skill that can be
honed. Unleash your inner guerrilla
serendipity freak and see what unexpected wonders you discover!
The Reflection Bonus. Social Lights Make You Be seen.
Socialites ascend to celebrity status and wield star power
through multi-faceted tactics, capitalizing on their privileged positions and shrewdly
refining their public image:
1. Leveraging Connections and Privilege: They often hail from
affluent families (Anderson Cooper – Gloria Vanderbilt), or
marrying into wealth (Julia
Koch
- David
Koch)
, socialites gain access to exclusive events and mingle with established
celebrities. The proximity to fame opens doors for collaborations, media
exposure, and public recognition.
2. Crafting a Captivating Persona: Socialites meticulously
curate their public image, utilizing social media, fashion choices, and public
appearances to project a glamorous and aspirational lifestyle (Keeping
up with the Kardashians). This calculated presentation piques public
interest and garners a dedicated following.
3. Commanding Media Attention: Frequent appearances at
high-profile events, red carpets, or charity galas ensure socialites remain in
the spotlight. Where Anna
Wintour goes the attention of paparazzi and media outlets flows. She is the editor of Vogue Magazine… This
consistent exposure solidifies their presence in the public consciousness.
4. Embracing Reality TV and Digital Platforms: Reality
television shows and social media platforms provide stages for socialites to
showcase their lives, personalities, and relationships. This intimate glimpse
into their world attracts a loyal fanbase, further solidifying their celebrity
status.
5. Venturing into Business and Brand Partnerships: Many
socialites leverage their fame to launch entrepreneurial ventures or
collaborate with established brands Adidas YeezY – Kanye West. These
endeavors not only enhance their financial success but also expand their reach
and influence.
6. Aligning with Established Stars: Forming friendships and
romantic connections with established celebrities can significantly elevate a
socialite's profile. This association draws media attention and piques public
interest, propelling them further into the limelight.
7. Championing Philanthropy and Activism: Engaging in
charitable work and supporting social causes can significantly enhance a
socialite's reputation. This dedication to making a positive impact generates
favorable media coverage and resonates with a wider audience.
8. Maintaining Relevance in an Ever-Changing
Landscape: The path to socialite stardom is not without its challenges.
Sustaining fame requires maintenance work - adaptability, strategic networking,
and a knack for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
9. Adopting Controversy and Drama: While not always
intentional, but involvement in scandals or public feuds can paradoxically
amplify a socialite's notoriety (Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce. The attention, whether positive or negative,
keeps you in the headlines and fuels public fascination.
10. The Power of Personal Brand or Famous
for Being Famous: Ultimately, a socialite's success hinges on
their ability to cultivate a unique and compelling personal brand. This
distinctive identity sets them apart from the crowd and ensures their longevity
in the fickle world of fame. Zsa Zsa Gabor and her
sisters. She managed to stay famous for no known reason of identifiable merit.
# # #
www.mandylender.com www.mandylender.net www.attractome.com www.lendercombinations.com
Tags: #serendipity #serendipityencounter #princesofserendip
#guerrillaserendipity #engineeredserendipity #indexnow
No comments:
Post a Comment