The Secret to Turning Any Meal into a Meaningful Conversation

Jerry Seinfeld once said, (in jest?), "There is no such thing as fun for the whole family." He may have been talking about vacations, holiday dinners or conference meals.

You know what I mean. Arguments about politics. Complaints about the traffic. People with their heads buried in their digital devices or staring aimlessly at their salads, not knowing what to say.

What if there were a way to have a meaningful conversation that elevated all involved?

There is. Suggest a Review/Preview where everyone shares a highlight from the past year, and something they're looking forward to in the coming year.

The secret? Someone's got to be willing to initiate this.

You may wonder if people will roll their eyes and accuse you of being a "Pollyanna."

They may. Nevertheless, persist. The result will be better than a meandering meal that misses the opportunity to be meaningful and memorable.

I'm speaking from experience. When my sons were growing up, we said our "Thankfuls" every night.There were times Tom and Andrew couldn't think of anything or weren't into it.

But guess what Andrew does now? Runs a company called Tribute where you can send a Thank You video to a loved one on their birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement.

The piont? You never know how your attempts to create positive conversations and connections will pay off. I've been doing this for years at conventions, and people always thank me for initiating this and facilitating it.

Here are sample questions to kick-start the conversation. You might want to print this out and pass it out so individuals can pick the questions that appeal to them or create their own.

1. What is a favorite new place I discovered?

2. Who is someone who really influenced me? How so?

3. What’s a meaningful achievement I’m proud of?

4. What is the best book I read or movie/TV show I saw?

5. What did I learn this year?

6. What experience or person am I most grateful for? Why?

Preview Questions:

7. What is a goal - something I want to experience or achieve - in 2019?

8. Who is someone I want to spend more time with? Why?

9. What am I looking forward to in the new year?

10. What is something I want to change or get better at?

11. Where do I want to go that I haven't been before?

12. How will I give back and make a meaningful difference for someone or for something?

Once again, the secret to a meaningful conversation is to suggest it. Chances are you have interesting people around the table and everyone benefits from learning from each other.

You never know who you might influence - or how - when you facilitate a Review/Preview.

Someone's got to go first. Let it be you.

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Sam Horn, Intrigue Expert and TEDx speaker is on a mission to help people create the life of their dreams. Her books have been featured in NY Times and presented to NASA, Intel, Cisco, ASAE, Boeing, YPO. This is excerpted from SOMEDAY is Not a Day in the Week.