I was visiting friends recently when the conversation turned to the fact that Sarah, (aged 8,) wasn’t enjoying school so much. Sarah had only recently moved to her next ‘big’ school after living with mum and dad in a rural community.  

Sarah declares, ‘It’s not the same. My friends are all different and we don’t play so much …’   

Agreed. Friendships change when we start new schools. During career changes, most of us manage to hang on to strong connections. We move house and take those close friendships with us. Moving schools can be a ‘big deal’ and I loved that Sarah says ‘we don’t play so much.’    

‘My new friends are always grumpy.’   

Once mum and dad convinced her that the new friends will play more in time once they see her best ‘sparkly smile.’ We all agreed that the wrench for youngsters moving communities can be profound.  

Not just the kids, I believe most of us would benefit profoundly by reaching out more often, offering more time to developing those all-important relationships … these days particularly, in our insular world, there’s always someone ‘out there’ who may be in need …

We can help …  

New acquaintances often bring challenges for the more introverted, and friendships often take a little while to develop, especially (as Sarah described) through mum and dad’s house move, and that new job might mean anxious times for some … as for the self-employed opting for ‘remote working..?’   

Life is all about those moments, I call them opportunities. There are times when I stop for clarity, seeking definition in my role as a friend and I’m often asking myself ‘am I giving enough?’ Be it time for engagement, advice, or help and support.

Even today, when 8 yr old Sarah reminded me that we’re so busy working ‘in the moment’ that we forget to smile. We should be setting examples, by making time to share those light-hearted moments, our playtime…  

Lessons from our younger selves are within us all. Let’s take time to realise that more than ever, business is personal,  ‘people buy from people.’