Meeting new people can be difficult when you have a busy schedule. Dating takes a lot of time and commitment. Balancing a career with a dating life isn't easy
Relationships on Female First
The way we meet new people has changed tremendously over the years. We've come a long way from arranged marriages, (well, for most of us anyway), but if you haven't found your match yet, it probably means you've been searching for tips on finding love in all the wrong places. These days, there are many different ways of meeting new people if you are open to new experiences.
If you're like me, the bar scene just isn't the right place for you to meet your soulmate. Well, you're in luck. There are many new, exciting, and time-saving ways to meet new people!
Here are few helpful ways to meet that special person while balancing a hectic schedule:
- Industry Events - While you may go to business conferences to network with other individuals in similar fields, it's also a convenient way to meet new people. In between listening to leaders in your field discuss tips and strategies, you can also take the opportunity to meet someone new by the bar, at the table, or even walking around the event. You can also check out Meetup.com for different events in your area.
- Classes - We know you're busy, so think of a skill that would save you time if you had it in your mental tool belt (i.e.:excel mastery, analytics, computer shortcuts, etc). The cost/benefit ratio will make you more efficient down the road as well as give you a great opportunity to meet people you'd never have met.
- Coffee Houses - Most singles won't approach a person if they're in a group setting because crowds are intimidating. Try this technique: on your lunch break at work, go downstairs to the local cafe, and eat there - alone. It may seem awkward and lonely to eat by yourself, but chances are, if someone's interested, they will grab a seat next to you, and strike up a conversation. This will give the other person more confidence to approach you if you're sitting alone rather than with a group of colleagues or friends and an extra opportunity to meet someone new without disrupting your day.
- Lunch Speed Dating - If you're short on time, and you know you're unable to attend an evening speed dating event, then why not seek out speed dating events taking place during your lunch hour. Having some fast first dates in the middle of the day will increase the chances of you meeting someone in a quick and easy way! If there aren't any available speed dating events in your area, then simply eating your lunch at a communal table is a good alternative. There's nothing like a caesar salad with a side of good conversation!
- UberPool / Lyft Line -Taxi sharing services such as UberPool and Lyft Line both allow users to share rides and split the cost of the trip with someone that's heading in the same direction. While this way to meet someone new may seem a bit out of the ordinary, you may be surprised at how many interesting people you'll encounter. Think of it is as like a cool new impromptu speed dating service for young professionals. You can meet tons of new people on your way home, or on the way to a meeting. UberPool and Lyft Line may be an unconventional way to meet new people, but it's certainly different.
- Online Dating - Harnessing the power of the internet is one of the quickest ways to meet your next date. While on a break at work, power walking on the treadmill, or just standing in the elevator, a simple swipe to the right or a quick "like," can lead to a first date. If you're looking for someone serious, my new dating app Once, sends you one personally handpicked match everyday at noon. This way, while you're enjoying your lunch, you'll receive the perfect match just for you! So even if you are swamped with work, you have no excuse not to use these apps that make it the most convenient and efficient way of meeting new people.
- Group Workouts - Even with a busy schedule, signing up for a group workout class will not only help you stay in shape, but will be a great opportunity to meet new people. Seek out classes that require partner work; the team lead will pair people up, saving you from the need to find your own. Prime examples are are workout bootcamps, boxing, CrossFit, running clubs and rowing groups. Joining a new activity group will help to get you out of your comfort zone while getting you in shape! Not only will you be able to meet someone during a daily routine who has a lot in common with you, but you'll work up a sweat too! It's a win-win situation any way you look at it.
- Grocery Store - We all have to eat, so why not be on the lookout while buying your 1% milk and favorite box of cereal at Whole Foods? Seeing what someone buys at the supermarket can say a lot about a person; healthy eater, gluten free, lactose intolerant, or junk food eater. You never know, the perfect match could be waiting in line right in front of you at the cash register.
Bonus Tip: Whether you're at Whole Foods, a coffee house, or an industry event, we recommend wearing one statement piece that will make you more approachable to others. Some people call this 'Peacocking'; we call this facilitating easy conversation. An example for this if you're a man, would be wearing a brightly coloured pocket square, Knotheory tie, or if you're in a more casual environment, funny T-shirt or statement glasses. As a woman, wear a funky piece of jewelry, statement glasses, shoes, etc. - a small but unsubtle way to help others to feel comfortable breaking the ice with you.
Dating takes a lot of time and commitment. Balancing a career, personal time, and a dating life isn't easy, but with the help of websites, apps, and other quick and convenient places to meet new people, being busy shouldn't take time away from meeting someone. Just remember to be open and willing to meeting new people and you'll be surprised at how easy it can be!
I hope you find these tips helpful in meeting Mr. or Ms. Right!
About Jean Meyer:
CEO of Once Dating, Jean Meyer, is a French entrepreneur with an MBA from Columbia Business School. Meyer is well-known in the dating industry for creating the popular meeting platform, Date My School. After four years in the dating industry, he went on to create Once, the world's only dating app that has personal matchmakers select perfect matches for its users once every 24 hours.
tagged in dating