Connection & Influence

What do we want to shape us?

Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

I finished my post on Sunday with the question, “how many connections can we manage if we are to give them the attention they require?” That has led me to thinking about “inbound” and “outbound” connection - who do we want to shape us and care for us, and who do we want to shape and care for?

“Though we can’t change what it is we are noticing, we can change our ability to notice.”

The Creative Act. Rick Rubin. page 20.

There is something about the product of connection and attention equalling influence - both being influenced ourselves, and influencing others, that feels powerful and important. It shapes our perceptions of the world we live in, and we would do well to be conscious of the dynamics of it.

I have long been an advocate of Robin Dunbar’s work on the number of relationships we can hold, and the neat symettry it has. It feels right. Five very close friends, fifteen good friends, fifty people who I’ll always answer a call from, and an effective maximu…