Listening and Observing is Networking

This week I have had 2 opportunities to listen and observe the actions and talk of others. I am having time today to realize how much I learned.

First, I worked inside the local voting precinct on Tuesday. My job is to put in the key to the ballot machine, select the correct ballot, and make sure the voter knows how the machine works. Standing most of the time can be exhausting. However, it is also a good time to have a quick chat with neighbors if we are not busy at the machines. The election results were also interesting considering the number of voters that I saw. Remember that neither I nor anyone else can see ballots. I can see who comes in that I direct to a machine or who I happen to notice.

Thursday I attended a SIRDUG meeting. Since I bruised my gums in a fall on Saturday, eating is difficult and I found myself just listening to a group next to me while I ate slowly. I was able to talk with a couple of them after I finished eating. Today I have realized how much I heard about the market conditions for IT in this area. This info is useful as I weigh decisions about my business and next year.

It is also helpful that I had Wednesday to think about what I heard on Tuesday. It is nice to have today to think back on Thursday.