The People On The Sidewalk

by Matt Mattson

I once heard my good friend (and Phired Up’s Vice President), Woody Woodcock, say, “Look for the people on the sidewalk of your life. There are people waiting to be noticed, wanting to be noticed, and wishing to be noticed. You were once them.”

Obviously this applies to fraternity/sorority recruitment. But it applies beyond recruitment too, right?

Too many people, especially college students, are longing to be seen, noticed, and known. And not just on the surface level. We live in a world where “likes” and “comments” and “shares” have replaced eye contact, smiles, and handshakes. We also live in a world where today’s college students – Generation Z – are begging for authenticity, longing for real-life human-to-human connection, and are desperate for surprising moments of joy to wake them up from the numbing droll of cynicism and meaninglessness that serves as the background noise of society.

Your handshake… your smile… your question… your genuine conversation… these things can fill people’s souls! Look for the people on the sidewalk of your life.

Maybe they’re actually walking down the sidewalk of your campus.

Maybe they’re a new member in your chapter who hasn’t yet found their friend group.

Maybe they’re a student leader who hasn’t been thanked for their hard work and effort in a while.

Maybe they’re a fraternity/sorority professional or advisor who is feeling a little disenchanted and just needs a real conversation that gives them hope.

Maybe they’re a young man who has leadership potential but never connected with an organization and is just kind of drifting through their semester.

Maybe they’re a young woman who is homesick and frustrated with her major and is just waiting to be included in an organization with purpose and meaning.

Maybe it’s you. I notice you. I appreciate you reading this. If you are, it means you care about making yourself and your organization better. I notice you. I am grateful for you. There are too few people willing to read, try, and work… and you’re one of them. Thank you.

“Look for the people on the sidewalk of your life. There are people waiting to be noticed, wanting to be noticed, and wishing to be noticed. You were once them.”

If you know Woody, you can probably hear his voice saying this in his uniquely calming, always inspiring, charmingly southern, and universally lovable way of communicating. Woody is a guru… not just about recruitment… about life.