How do you select the networking events you attend regularly?
Share your answer in the comments below!
What is a fortnight? It’s 14 days or 2 weeks.
What is “Question of the Fortnight?” Every other week I’ll ask a question here on the blog. Through out the two weeks I’ll update the blog post with some of your answers. These will be from the comments below, from people I see networking and any other way I happen to receive your answer to the question.
“Make a decision and then make it right.”
(Google tells me that it’s part of a quote from Abraham-Hicks)
I don’t remember where or when I first heard this, but it’s always resonated with me. I take the meaning to be that once you’ve made a decision, commit to it and spend your energy moving forward as if it’s the right decision (and don’t second guess yourself).
It’s the difference between these two attitudes:
Have you experienced both of these? Or maybe seen how each attitude plays out in someone else (sometimes it’s a lot easier to see it in someone else first).
The person with the “prove it to me” attitude is evaluating everything and waiting for something useful to be handed directly to them. At an event they’re complaining about what isn’t working for them – their seat, that last section or even how lunch was handled. And in a program they might be complaining about how the information was delivered or complaining about how it won’t work for them (or hasn’t worked in the past).
The person with the “what can I learn” attitude has on a completely different pair of glasses – their view is much different. They’re also evaluating, but instead of waiting for something useful to be handed to them, they’re looking at everything and looking at how it might apply to them – now or later. They’re enjoying where they are right now, wherever that is.
Let me be clear though, having the “what can I learn” attitude doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It can also involve recognizing that something doesn’t work for you or isn’t right for you.
The difference is how this is handled.
The “prove it to me” attitude will complain about it and be unhappy.
The “what can I learn” attitude will learn from it and decide what they can do to make it work for them now or how to avoid the situation in the future.
Two people, at similar places in their businesses (and even in similar businesses) can go to the same event (or conference or program or anything) and have completely different experiences based on the attitude they go in with.
Who do you think walks away with the better experience?
Which attitude do you find yourself approaching events or conferences with?
Have you ever gone to an large event or conference to improve your business and walked away with a long list of things you’re going to do to improve your business? You’re all excited about it and then you get home and your real life kicks in. You don’t have the vibe of the event anymore and you look at that long list and instead of being excited it’s just more stuff to do – UGH.
Can you relate?
I know I can.
Last year I went to an event and was really concerned about this happening, so I decided to do something that can be difficult for me (you might have heard me mention it before) I took a step back and evaluated.
I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to do everything that was mentioned over the course of three days (and I’d probably drive myself and my loved ones a bit batty if I did). So, I took a look at my business and my goals.
I recognized that I wasn’t an established business with a steady stream of clients. So, I wasn’t ready for anything that built on that (this was super hard for me to admit, even just to myself).
And anything that was more geared to someone building their business (or creating a new one) was going to apply.
And given what I know about myself, I knew I’d walk out with things I wanted to do, things that I wasn’t ready for and wanted to remember, ideas to blog about, things to research or learn more about and probably a few other things.
I also expected a binder with the slides and space for notes – notes that I would probably find almost impossible to find again or even remember.
So, what did I do? I pulled out my colored note cards and some sticky notes. I labeled each color something different and stuck a blank sticky note on the inside of my binder when I got it (read on more info on this).
While I didn’t implement everything I wanted to when I got home – I didn’t feel overwhelmed by a long list full of things that I could do and things I wanted to do but wasn’t ready for.
How do you do this?
Why not just write everything down in one place on a piece of paper? I find it hard to easily find what I’m looking for when everything is together (if it works for you great!). I know I’m sometimes easily sidetracked or discouraged and looking at a page full of each category above can overwhelm me. So, I create tricks like these to support me.
I also placed a sticky note, slightly sticking out, on the pages I wanted to have quick access to. These were things like the schedule and information that I wanted to come back to right away.
Some events will have a spot for your name and phone number on the first page. If the one you’re at doesn’t, write it on a sticky and put it on the first page. This way you can be reunited if it is accidentally misplaced (it happens, someone set theirs down next to the sinks in the bathroom and forgot it).
Most importantly, do what supports you. This might mean spending some time alone during a break or meal time or it might mean inviting someone you’re sitting near to lunch (really, people appreciate this – most people are there alone or like the opportunity to get to know other people).
What do you do at large events or conferences to prevent overwhelm? Share in the comments below.
What do you do after networking events that other people might not?
Some of the answers I’ve received are:
I don’t know if other people don’t do it, but I contact between 1-3 people after every single networking event to schedule a one on one meeting with someone I met or want to connect with. – Felicity Joy
Share your answer in the comments below!
What is a fortnight? It’s 14 days or 2 weeks.
What is “Question of the Fortnight?” Every other week I’ll ask a question here on the blog. Through out the two weeks I’ll update the blog post with some of your answers. These will be from the comments below, from people I see networking and any other way I happen to receive your answer to the question.
This post is part of the My Writing Process Blog Tour.
I’ve been asked to join a great group of writers/bloggers on this tour by the wonderful Wendy Pitts Reeves. Wendy is the Founder and President of Courage-to-Confidence, is host of the popular “Secret Adventures for Courageous Women.” As a Life and Business coach, Wendy’s a radical enCourager who helps women do things they never thought they could do, to create the life, and business, they never thought they could create. Her Courage-to-Confidence eZine goes out weekly.
You can find her post where I was tagged here.
For this tour, instead of traveling by plane, train or automobile – you answer four questions and then tag/ask three other wonderful people to participate.
So, let’s get started!
What am I working on?
It seems like I have a lot of things I could be working on – such is life as an entrepreneur, right?
However, right now I’m working on the next revision of my Keep-in-Touch One on One Coaching Program. It has good bones and I’m working on improving parts of it.
Interestingly enough, I’m also working on adjusting my schedule – which I’ll write more about in the last question.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I started with this niche, productivity, because I couldn’t find someone to help me with the same things I now help my clients with. Sometimes I wonder what I was searching for because they definitely are out there.
So, how am I different? It’s my demeanor and the presence I bring to each call with my clients. And my absolute love for each of them.
And I do a lot of listening – some productivity coaches might spend a lot of time telling you what you should be doing to reach your goals. I don’t do that, I find clients do better in the long run that way.
Why do I write what I do?
My blog started as a way for me to share random insights I was having as someone working for someone else. It evolved into the blog and website for my business.
I continue to write here for primarily two reasons:
How does my writing process work?
Currently, I sit down on Tuesday or Wednesday (occasionally on Thursday) and write. I’ve either jotted down a topic that popped in to my head or think about what you might need to read this week.
Generally, a topic will eventually come to mind and I’ll just start writing. Then I’ll re-read and pick a title.
And if a topic doesn’t come to mind I just start writing about anything and usually will end up with an extremely rough draft of something that I can work with.
However, I’m contemplating changing this by writing 3-5 blog posts one week each month and then scheduling them (the note at the beginning of the newsletter will still be created each week). I have some topic ideas that will get me started.
The blog tour continues with these three writers that I know personally and love!
Mary Wu
I’ve literally known Mary and her family for years. So, I’m happy to be able to introduce her to you – if you don’t already know her!
Mary is a virtual assistant living in Naperville, Illinois. She is married with two teenage children. She loves to learn new things, an she enjoys searching for solutions to problems.
Kristina Fortune
I met Kristina a little over a year ago. We hit it off right away and talk every couple of weeks.
Kristina is a writer and editor who believes in simplicity, authenticity, and appreciation for the little things in life. Her mission is to inspire, empower and teach busy, creative women how to create the balanced, peaceful and fulfilling lives they desire. Check out her blog Vitality Organizing for tools, tips and inspiration for creating a simpler life, a peaceful mind and a happy heart.
Jennifer Bugajsky
I met Jennifer last fall. We met for coffee a couple months later and probably would have sat there chatting for a couple of hours if we wouldn’t have had other commitments!
Jen is a health and body relationship coach. Her delivery of seminars and coaching have inspired woman to greater levels of awareness in the importance of taking care of their family’s health and well-being. As a body relationship coach, Jen shares her own transformation story and teaches people how to use their body as a guide to create a deeper relationship with God (the divine source of truth) as well as teaching women how to love, respect and appreciate themselves and their bodies. She is an expert at empowering women to invest the time and energy to improve the health of their family. Jen’s education and experience improving the health of her own family have equipped her with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and the importance of preventive care. She works with clients to help them make the dietary and lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. Her clients love that she takes the fear and stress out of where to begin by focusing on one simple step at a time.
