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Dare to be interesting! Interesting people are made – not born that way. If you want to be a more interesting person to be around, here are three steps to help you on your way:

know By Cynthia D’Amour

1 Take an interest in the world around you.

To be more interesting to others, you must first be interested in the world outside your realm of interests. You need to know what is happening so that you can talk with ease with people who are different from you. What are the big issues of the day? How did the local sports team do? What feature stories are people learning about? What keeps people up at night? What are the big challenges facing your community? Scan newspapers and news magazines, or find an informative news station or web site to add to your daily routine. Become a student of your environment.

2 Stretch your comfort zone regularly.

Life is meant to be experienced, not lived according to a narrowly defined “rulebook.”  Stretching your comfort zone opens your eyes to new perspectives — it also gives you interesting stories to share with others. A few simple ways to stretch your comfort zone include: taking a new way home from work, trying out a new ethnic restaurant, talking to someone you don’t know well in class or attending an event for a first time.

3 Be a good listener.

There’s that old saying that you have to give to get. It applies here as well. Interesting people are not self-centered bores who believe conversation consists of talking about themselves. They care about those around them — and listen carefully. Ask what people think and how they got to where they are. Encourage them to share their stories by paying close attention with smiling eyes and positive feedback. When you take time and interest in what others have to say, you give them a gift. They feel good about talking to you are interesting to them!

Often, the only difference between an interesting person and one who does not consider themselves interesting is a matter of confidence — and a willingness to share their experiences. Remember, you are already an interesting person just the way you are today. You’ve got a lifetime of experience and lessons learned that can help and amuse many.

To uncover the interesting person who is already hiding within you, all you need to do is start sharing your stories, listening to others, and be willing to view the world through new eyes.

Cynthia D’Amour, author of “Networking: The Skill the Schools Forgot to Teach”, is based in Ann Arbor.

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