Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places?
In part 1 on finding love I described how simple attitudinal changes can improve your chances of finding and connecting with a mate. In the second part of the article I tell you where you can go to find a potential love match.
Location - the key to meeting new people
There are a myriad of places where you can meet new people. The bottom line is that you need to develop a strategy of going where the single people are. If you stay in your comfort zone of mixing only with your existing friends, you may never meet anyone new.
For those that want help meeting a mate there are a large number of dating companies, ranging from personals, arranged dinners and group outings to matchmaking. Cyber dating is a virtual replication of the real life. You can place personal advertisements, send messages via a server thus maintaining your anonymity, and make friends. Some online dating systems include notice boards and events organised by members.
If online dating is not for you then you should consider taking up a hobby. Choose something you think you will enjoy. (Remember others are attracted to friendly smiling people who are happy). Or perhaps you might want to learn a new skill that will improve your career opportunities. Here are some suggestions:
Public speaking – Toastmasters
Motivational breakfast club – Salespeople With A Purpose
Water sports:
- surf lifesaving
- diving
- swimming
- sailing
- wind surfing
- kayaking
Quieter pursuits:
- bowling
- bridge
- croquet
- mah-jong
- scrabble
- church
- painting
Hobbies dominated by women:
- personal growth seminars
- mystic and esoteric studies
- gardening clubs
Hobbies dominated by men:
- golf
- rugby
- soccer
- cycling
- racing cars
There are many more clubs and interests you can try. Your local school will have a schedule of community learning, and there will also be activities in your local paper. Give something new a go, and don’t give up at first attempt. Give yourself time to get to know the other people and to master the skills of the hobby.
Keep your eyes open to the opportunity to meet new people. The idea of using a banana to signal availability (commonly used in United States supermarkets and more recently in New Zealand) may have once seemed comical. Today it is part of our reality. There are many lonely people who would welcome the chance to meet you and become your friend or lover but if you don’t leave the comfort of your home you may never meet.
It needn’t be scary not does it need to be expensive. For example, you could go to your local bookstore and browse books in your favourite genre. If you see someone you like, strike up a conversation – after all you now know you have something in common. If the shop has a café you might like to suggest discussing your favourite books over a coffee.
The possibilities are endless. So next time you’re at home on a Saturday night don’t despair. Your Romeo or Juliet is not far away. Finding love is not a lottery, you can influence your future and the best time to start is now.
Talia Mana is an inspirational business mentor, speaker and author. She has previously worked in senior roles in Fortune 500 companies and understands the pressure that people face in dealing with stress and maintaining life balance.
Although she doesn’t often admit to it, Talia Mana started her working life as an Accountant. Fortunately, she has since come to her senses, and after a successful corporate career spanning senior finance, strategy, marketing and management roles, she now works as a business mentor as well as maintaining her own business interests in publishing and research and development.
After a successful career spanning finance, marketing and management roles in Fortune 500 companies, Talia experienced stress-induced burnout, and left the corporate world to establish a consulting business.
Talia is a published author, professional speaker and business mentor. She is also a contributing author to 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life with Bob Proctor, John Gray and Jack Canfield.