Thanksgiving in the Season of Networking and Relationships
Today Let’s be Grateful – and ‘tis the Season – for Networking!!!
I have thought a lot about gratitude lately, for the USA, it is THE WEEK of Thanksgiving, yet in the backwash of all the geo-political, economic, and personal events and I choose to be grateful, despite it all. Being negative won’t help anything, and it could actually make the situation worse, for us and for those around us.
Being consciously grateful is one of the main ways to be happier, research says. On our side of the equator, as the days darken, let us be grateful and we may find ourselves happier! Happier for you and me then means making better choices (also proven from research), which leads to success. Therefore, let’s be grateful!
Here are four ideas for you to be more grateful:
Idea 1: I have a friend who has a thankful jar. Every time something for which she is grateful happens, she writes it down. Then at periodical times in the year (for example, Thanksgiving or Christmas) she and the family sit down and read the papers. At times when life is hard, she reaches for that jar, too.
Idea 2: At the end of each day write down 1-3 things that you are thankful for that day. (this, then could go in your jar, if you have one). Focusing on the positives for the day is a great way to fall asleep. If you pray, then thanking God for those things would be the last activity for your day. What a positive way have end bedtime routine! This should be number one, really, as this is a proven way to move forward positively.
Idea 3: Thank people! This is THE WEEK for some of us, after all. Whether it’s the wait staff at your local restaurant; your work colleagues (or even better those who report to you); or your family and friends; make it a point to say thank you three times a day at least in the next seven days. See what happens, then. Report back to me if you notice a change, please.
Idea 4: Instagram it (for yourself)! By that I mean, take a photo and place it somewhere where you can see it again. And on Instagram you actually show others, too. Depending on your personal level of privacy, this may or may not be your kind of thing. I have friends who are experts at posting beautiful photos of nature and their surroundings. Others post pics that their kids have drawn. But in the end, it doesn’t really have to be on a social media site, the idea is that the photos are “there” for you to review. It can be on your laptop or phone, or… you can make a choice where. I make my own postcards and send them to myself.
I have a refrigerator that allows me to change the pictures on it by use of magnets.
These ideas are just little reminders for you to be grateful each day for the good things that come your way. Tell me what you do, too. I would be glad to add to my list!
THEN
Start networking to make your business (or you) KNOWN and more visible - Nine Networking Ideas, plus one
Networking IS very important, especially in Switzerland!!!
Everyone I know seems to get a little worried when they enter a room full of strangers, so do know there is someone feeling just like you somewhere in the room. Even one of my favorite authors, Dr. Amy Cuddy, tweeted that she’s still working on it! (“Yes, I still feel socially anxious. I'm at a reception with hundreds of strangers, too nervous to introduce myself. Still working on it!“)—I recently had a conversation about the topic with a client and encouraged them; this will forever be a topic (networking and social anxiety). But good networking is key for (business) success. So, here are some tips:
Before the Event-
Before you go, do three things:
Choose
Don’t just go to “business networking events”. They can be costly, both financially and especially at this time of year, timewise.
Choose something that really interests you and that you think you will find people with whom you can meet in a meaningful way. I would personally like book launches (of book topics I am interested in), art vernissages, start-up activities, and TEDtalks, for example. What interests you? What kind of person interests you? Go there! In Switzerland, there are many groups you can choose from and meetings you can go to. One of my rules of thumb is also, how much does it cost? I don’t pay a lot for my networking and, unless you have money to burn, I suggest you do the same. If you want to talk more about this, I would be happy to tell you about my experiences over a cup of coffee.
Look
Once you have chosen a venue you should do a little research. Who is going? What is the program for the event? Speakers? Then, if you do this, post it on your social media. For example, one time I went to the Pink Ribbon Walk last Sunday and remembered to post it on FB.
Expect
Visualize yourself there having a good time. This is important, and visualization is a very good skill. Prepare by setting your expectations realistically. How many people will you think you can manage really meeting in a meaningful way at this event? One? Two? Three? (more than five is unreasonable, in my opinion) Set your limits (how much time you want to spend and what you will do, in general) and make sure you follow them. Know when you plan to leave and stick to your plans. You will be more satisfied if you do this.
During the event
During your time there do three more things:
Physically Pose (when you arrive)
When you arrive (or shortly before you leave home, if the way is not too long, but it is better to do it at the venue)) do the Amy Cuddy (à la book Presence) Wonder Woman Pose: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hands on hips. Stand and smile at yourself- for a good three minutes. A single-person bathroom works. JUST do it. It is research-proven that this will help you feel confident about yourself. Also, if you are really interested in this practice, email me, and/or read the book. AND:
Remember to SMILE!
Practice makes better
Treat each networking event as a learning experience, not a performance. That means you are “just practicing”, “just learning” and that what happens is good enough. If you do that combined with the next step, you will be able to look at these events as more and more enjoyable.
Enjoy - and Be Yourself!
Most of the people organizing the events enjoy them or they would not do them.
Remember that they try very hard and make it enjoyable for you, the participant. So, find someone(s) you seem to “click” with, do what you enjoy. Relax and …
Be yourself! (I need to repeat this…)
When you are yourself, you will find meaningful new relationships at the event. AND that’s the real goal: to start a new relationship with someone that seems to click with you. The point is not to “get as many business contacts as you can”, but to be yourself with other people who you may enjoy doing working within the future (or maybe not at all, but maybe they will refer).
These people are people you try and serve somehow, a kind of “pay it forward”, and introduce them to your network, for example.
It’s all about relationship. So, you can be yourself and relax.
After the event
When the event is over do three more things:
Update
Update your contact lists as soon as possible- don’t keep those business cards collecting dust in the drawer, enter the information into your electronic contact list (and remember to make sure you yourself are entered into it, as well, to send and to use).
Email or text, if appropriate
For those whom you want to keep in touch with, but don’t have any specific plan, email them and thank them for talking with you. Leave it open for meeting or suggest something else if you like.
Call, if you really are wanting connection
For those who you set up a meeting, call and confirm. You can email, or text, too, of course, but a phone call is more personal.
Remember, these are the people with whom you hope to start a business relationship or with whom you might partner in some way in the future. They are also people you enjoy. Remember that follow-up is important for relationship, for getting a job, as well as for your business and career, in general. Always follow up with people you really connect with.
They can lead to referrals, even if they don’t themselves bring you any business. I will repeat myself: It is all about relationships!
What’s next after the Event?
Practice makes better
I don’t think one ever gets perfect at this, but you do get better and hopefully learn to really enjoy your networking time. Keep practicing, keep learning, and set a goal of – one? or two? networking events a month to attend. I usually try to do only one, but this is not possible at the end of the year for me. (I do not post everything )
Finally,
These ideas are just little reminders for you to be grateful each day for the good things that come your way and to move forward in this big busy networking season. Tell me what you do, too. I would be glad to add your suggestions to my list! See you somewhere in the next few months?
PS
I have reduced my blogging for the moment to enjoy a season of R&R after ending my teaching career. BUT there are new things ahead of me for coaching and supervision (and spiritual direction. More later
