Networking is similar to exercising. We all know it’s great for us, but the majority of us don’t like it. Even the excuses are similar: ” I don’t have enough time, I’m negative at it, I don’t get anything from the jawhorse, it’s only not for me personally, I’m doing fine without it, everyone is judging me, I don’t know ways to get started, and I don’t like getting all sweaty (for those who get nervous talking to strangers).”
And yet, because even when among our excuses is that “it’s negative for ME”, secretly we realize that networking could be great for us, so we feel guilty about not carrying it out and develop sustained excuses to prevent it. If something is voluntary, we’ll avoid it if it makes us feel bad.
In our defense, modern life really does ensure it is difficult. We’re extremely time-crunched. We’re saturated with too much information – a lot of it junk. Our companies and our businesses demand more out of us sometimes just to keep the doors open, and we have an expectation of adults in our society that people won’t have an understanding curve. We’re said to be a professional at whatever we try right away. This last constraint has caused lots of people an awkward experience – and serious pain when put on exercise.
For anyone few who love exercise, it’s as easy for them as lacing up a couple of running shoes and venturing out the door. They make the time, they’ve a target and it becomes part of the routine. And for maybe the even fewer who like to networking, it’s as easy for them as grabbing a handful of business cards. They work it into their schedule, they know it’s likely to be beneficial, and it becomes a practice for them.
Do these folks have a knee on the others of us since they’re naturally athletic, naturally sociable, etc? Sometimes. But just because you’re lean and have endurance doesn’t mean you venture out, purchase a racing bike, and become Lance Armstrong. And just because you want people and enjoy socializing doesn’t mean you venture out, join the chamber, and become Harvey Mackay. It will take some planning, strategy, and even a couple of methods for tricking yourself into doing that which you know you intend to do.
How will you arrange for success with an environment like this? It will take three steps:
1. Discover any mindsets, misconceptions, or false beliefs which are holding you back.
With networking, this could mean that you have a poor mindset about any of it which means you search for (and of course find) that which you dread. Events are boring, people try to sell you, and there is a constant get any benefit. Obviously you don’t benefit when you attend with dread in your heart. Imagine what a great networking experience could be like. If you hold that image, keep that vision facing the mind, and expect an optimistic result, you will end up amazed at the difference in your experience.
2. Remove the obstacles
Make it as easy as possible to do what it will take to be successful in networking. With exercise, this could mean purchasing a treadmill in order to run when it’s cold and laying out your shoes and running clothes ON the treadmill to cut back any resistance. For networking, this could include writing it in your calendar in ink, inviting a friend, and clearing your calendar so that most excuses are eliminated, reduced, and avoided.
3. Keep at it long enough to see results
Just like exercise, we usually don’t give networking enough time and energy to see results. One exercise session is want to only cause you to stiff the following day. It surely won’t create any lasting effects. Fortunately, networking CAN have an immediate effect – you might get lucky and find an individual who happens to need your product or service. But for a typical stream of connections and referrals, you’ll need to produce regular appearances and keep touching your contacts.
Conclusion
Networking is similar to any other activity: first we need to get over our mental resistance and any ways that people are avoiding it through negative thinking. Next, we have to produce it as easy as possible for ourselves to do it by eliminating as many obstacles as possible. Finally, we need to be patient; results take time. With this particular three-step plan, we can be successful at networking.
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