How to Connect with the People in Your Life

A Guide for Overcoming Personal Barriers, Breaking Misconceptions, and Establishing Better Relationships.

By: C.J. Kruse

Narrated by: Duane DeSalvo

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Many of us wish we were better at making connections, keeping connections, or improving the connections we already have. We wish we were better at networking or making good first impressions. Or, we may simply wish we had stronger bonds with the people we know - our friends and family members, who we often feel strangely distant to.

All of these situations can be improved upon. This book talks about how that is done, regardless of where you currently stand or what you hope to accomplish.

Connection is something that can be learned. It is a skill that can be sharpened. It doesn't matter if we are (or aren't) naturally gifted in the area of connecting with people. Some of the best relationship-builders in history were people who did not feel like social masters, but learned the art of connecting despite their natural inclinations. Many of them felt socially awkward and dealt with real feelings that you and I face in everyday encounters. 

Isn't it worth investing some time to become more skilled at connecting?

In this audiobook, we will talk about:

• Learning to break the ice with people
• Learning to be a better conversationalist
• Understanding what loneliness means and how to deal with it
• Making/keeping friends
• Knowing what it means to connect
• Realizing the benefits of connecting
• Identifying common barriers and misconceptions we have about connecting
• Finding different ways to connect
• Connecting in unique and difficult situations
• Dealing with the pains of friendship
• Coping with loss and rejection
• Overcoming shyness
• Connecting with ourselves
• And much, much more...

Right now is the right time to start improving your connection skills.

©2019 Caleb Kruse (P)2019 Caleb Kruse

Good - my thoughts on pros & cons

Overall I thought this was very good. The book highlights some important pointers about connecting with people and gave me some practical and useful Insight that I know I will apply. I will probably also return to reread this book multiple times in the future, as a lot of the information is just good to refresh in your mind from time to time. I've tried to put together an objective list of pros and cons for anybody considering buying it.

THE GOOD

As mentioned, practical & useful. it's not your ordinary book that teaches you how to Dazzle people with cleverness or anything like that. It is instead a practical manual gives you step-by-step advice on how to maintain and improve connections with people.

Relevant. I think that the information here can apply to pretty much anyone who is Desiring better relationships.

Fun. the book had an overall tone that was easy to follow and entertaining. For that reason, I did not want to put it down. It was also delivered in bite-sized chunks that made me feel like I had good stopping points along the way when I needed to go about my business.

THE BAD

for some reason I had trouble downloading this book onto my phone. On Amazon, it said it would be in my library, but I had to exit out of my Audible app a few times and refresh it before the book actually showed up and that was able to download it. It was kind of frustrating.

A few times, the narrator got on my nerves. Maybe it's just a personal thing, but he seemed a little overjoyous about the message and I myself had a hard time relating with him at times.

otherwise I cannot think of any complaints. As I said, I will take the book as a package and see it as a major plus overall. hopefully this gives insight to anybody considering buying it. I would say go for it if you are truly looking for ways to connect with people!

Very real style (and not too cookie cutter)

I am pleasantly surprised by this audiobook I somewhat randomly stumbled upon after reading one of Kruse's other books, and I feel compelled to share a few words.

First off, the narrator did a fantastic job. Trust me... not all narrators do. This guy spoke the books message very well in my opinion.

Secondly, the book resonated with me on a number of levels. The author gives examples from his life about friendship, and talks about feelings of rejection and resparking old friendships, and it was a timely message for me.

I have dealt with a lot of frustrations these past few years myself and have not known what to make of friendships that seem to have grown cold. This book truly, truly brought me to a better place about that, and also gave me some EXCELLENT perspective about what I can do in my situation.

Plus, it gave me a ton of encouraging tips about connecting with people in general (which I will continue to use everyday).

If you like authors like John C. Maxwell, I feel very confident saying that you will LOVE this book and most likely re-listen to it a few times. It is a very real style and not too cookie-cutter. Great listen. Five stars!

Was hoping for something and then it was over

I kept waiting for actual advice and wisdom or guidance. This book is filled with advice like “don’t be shy” and why it’s not good to be shy and how great it is when you aren’t and similar advice. But nothing on how to actually not be shy. Lots of basic advice-take care of yourself, don’t use your phone. I kept hoping for actual advice and guidance. Don’t waste your money.