Introduction - Why?

Well this is the first post, so I guess I'll introduce myself real quick.  My name's Chris Lombardi, I'm 23 years old, and I want to master the art of conversation.  This has really been on my to do list for YEARS now, but I never had the balls to step up, learn from those who know more, and track my progress.  I'm generally known as an outgoing guy, an extrovert if you will, but inside I guess I'm a little afraid of people and what they will think.  I don't know if this is something I have to overcome, or something I have to accept and look past, but that's why I'm here.

Like any good goal, I first thought of mastering the art of conversation during this past new year's.  I work as an actuary, so I was fed up with being stuck behind a fucking computer screen all day while everyone else got to interact with the world.  I starting getting angry and anxious that this was what my life was going to be, and the quality of my work started slipping as a result.  In another part of my life, I wasn't unhappy with my social situation, but I wanted more.  I wanted adventure, to meet new people, avoid staying with what's comfortable and experience all the world has to offer.  The whole game of social interactions is a fascinating, but it can be difficult to put yourself out there and test what really works.

That was then, this is now.  Currently, I'm at a point where I am taking action.  I'm reading books and putting my new knowledge to work, and guess what... it works!!  This shit aint that hard after all!

So here's what I want to do.  Everyday, I am going to come back and track all of my social interactions - good or bad.  I'm going to see what I did correctly, what can be improved upon, and what new ideas did I come up with in the process.  Though there are two parts to this goal - social interactions and career - they both have the same main objective: get another human being to take an interest in you and do what you want.  It's as simple and painstakingly complex as that.

So, I'm not sure if you're reading this, hopefully this blog can spark something in you to go out and try it yourself.  Maybe it will motivate you to inspire someone close to you about these ideas.  In any case, I hope we can take this journey together and simply learn how to get along with other people.

It's late (I have a strict bed time of 11:00 PM on weekdays), so I'll start my progress tomorrow.  latahh!