Interested in having more like-minded people in your life? Who wouldn’t, right?

Finding these people can be extremely easy, if you go about it smartly.

You are a unique person with unique interests. But you might not have people in your life to share these interests with. Where are these people hiding?

If the internet has proved anything, it’s that you’re not alone. These days, you can find thousands of people around the world with interests similar to yours.

Even if your interest is in manly mustaches. (Or dating people with manly mustaches.)

Interacting with these people online is great, but it doesn’t compare to actually meeting with them in the real world.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy to find these people in the flesh. But there’s one convenient technique that allows these people to find you, instead of you having to search for them.

Online vs. Offline

In the online world people can interact anonymously. They don’t have to reveal where they live, or disclose their true names, if they don’t feel like it.

This leads to an environment where people are more comfortable with expressing who they truly are.

When online, people are willing to share all kinds of things about themselves and their unique interests. This is one of the beauties of the internet, and the main reason why it’s so easy to find likeminded people there.

But when we unplug from this virtual reality, the game changes in an instant.

All of the sudden people become more reserved about revealing their true interests and passions. Maybe they’re afraid of what others might think of them.

In the real world most people want to fit in, more than anything else.

This leads to a phenomenon of everyone trying to be ‘normal’. This can be witnessed on many different levels, such as: people trying to dress like each other, or people only being willing to express popular opinions, etc.

When everyone is pretending to be normal it’s hard to find people who share your particular interests. Although, you can be sure they’re out there, all around you.

Have Them Come To You

So, what we have on our hands is a mass of people pretending to be average. Yet, no one is truly ‘average’ deep inside!

How on earth will you find your people in this environment?

Go and ask random people on the street if they share your interests and you probably won’t have great results. This approach is very inefficient.

Instead of hunting down likeminded people, you can actually have them find you.

Doing this can be very simple, and the solution is this: display your unique interests where others can see them.

From now on, think of yourself as a kind of living billboard with the power to attract likeminded people.

Your outside appearance tells people a lot about you. Why not use it to your advantage. Create an appearance that signals your people that you are one of them.

This can be done in numerous ways, some being more subtle than others.

Take this to a level that feels comfortable for you. There’s no need to go overboard.

If you’re into a specific band, you could put on a fan t-shirt when you go out. This is a great conversation starter for the people around you who share your passion for this band.

They are probably dying to meet likeminded people as well.

Make it easy for them to discover you.

What’s Stopping Us?

People are scared to display their interests openly because they think others might consider them weird. I’ve felt this fear, and I’m guessing you’ve felt it as well.

I’ve had some great practice with confronting this fear by wearing my Vibram Fivefingers around town.

Sure, some might think I’m weird but it’s a price I’m willing to pay. I wear them because they are good for my posture. And they also display my passion for healthy living.

Wearing these shoes clearly reveals an aspect and interests of mine to the outside world. This will help likeminded people find me as I go about my day.

If you pretend to be like everyone else you’ll miss out on countless of opportunities to meet people sharing your passions and interests.

Stop trying to please everyone; it’s a pointless task anyways.

Conclusion

It’s incredible fun to hang out with people who share your interests. And it’s just way more enjoyable to do offline.

The reason why most people don’t get to do this is because they’re afraid to reveal their true self to those around them. They pretend to be average, just like most of the people out there.

You can break this pattern by displaying your interests bravely. Likeminded people will find you, and they’ll be happy that you had the courage to expose your true interests.

This might be a bit scary at first but you can start small and build your way up.

Give your people a chance to find you!

Photo by stevendepolo