Thoughts On Networking

The other day I attended a networking event and had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. The event included a speaker, who was fabulous - very informative and enthusiastic. I paid to attend the event and walked away with more than I thought I would, which is what we want, right?

During the event I noticed how many people that attended were distracted and not giving the speaker the respect he deserved. They chatted with friends and colleagues, checked their email on their phone and texted during the entire event. I wondered what they "took with them" and if they got what they paid for.

As someone who hosts and leads a networking group, here are a few tips I thought necessary to share - more like networking etiquette - in order to give the speaker, host or leader the respect they deserve for chairing the event, as well as those in the room who came to network and learn. Knowing I have done a few of these myself, my commitment is to make each event count for as many people as I can by practicing these five tips.

1. Turn your phone off! If you can't turn it off, at least turn it on silent. I do understand that there are some positions that need 24-hour-a-day availability, like on call physicians, police officers, and fire fighters, to name a few.
2. No texting or emailing! The speaker has committed to sharing his/her knowledge and expertise and deserves your attention. Remember, one day that may be you on the stage.
3. Save the chatter and chit chat for breaks and during specific network times! There are numerous ways to connect with friends and colleagues any other time. Make yourself a note for follow up meetings, emails or phone calls.
4. 30 second introductions mean 30 seconds! Everyone in the room deserves the same respect as the speaker. Don't make it your platform - the leader of the group or event has invited you to "network" not run an infomercial. As a leader, I know I really don't like to play mom and have to set the timer and cut people off mid sentence. If you need help with your intro, I'd be happy to assist.
5. Remember - there are hundreds and thousands of different opportunities out there. Yours is the best FOR YOU! Drop the superiority complex, keeping in mind that what works for you may not work for everyone. We are all here to assist, not insist!

Some of this may sound harsh or less than blissful. It's meant to. These are practices that make it a little more joyful for everyone. All five tips are based upon my own observations as a group leader, speaker and someone who attends networking events, as well as someone like you who has small businesses and practices many different healing modalities. My businesses and practices work for me, they may not work for everyone.

Just like on the road, I'm turning my phone off and paying attention to what lies ahead. I hope you'll join me - life is too short to miss anything!

Create Real Freedom

Guest article by Steve Martile @ Freedom Education

Freedom is the freedom to choose your thoughts, choose your friends and choose your career; it’s choosing the type of cake you want on your birthday or choosing the car you want to drive. It’s choosing the lifestyle you want to live.

If you’re not actively making these choices, then you’re not free. The happiest people I know are choosing freely. They go after what they want and they are happy because they are doing what they love. That’s real freedom.

If you don’t choose then someone else might choose for you. That seems to be the default way that many people operate. There is no “have to” or “should do” here. It’s all I-WANT-TO.

THE PROBLEM

But most people operate from a different place. They say,

“I have to be successful”
“I have to be a professional speaker”
“I have to date this girl”
“I have to get this job”
“I have to have that car.”
“I have to go to work”
“I have to get this so I can do that.”

That’s not real freedom. Anytime you operate from a “have-to” or a “should-do” you create resistance. And this resistance leads to struggle, frustration and in some cases anger and resentment. It takes longer to achieve your goals and you wonder why you’re so upset with the world.

Stop doing what you “have-to” do and start doing what you really WANT to do. That's where real freedom lives. It doesn’t matter who you are, you’ve always got this choice.

OVERCOME OBSTACLES

Once you choose what you want, take the right steps to go out and get it. That's easier said than done because we've got so much mental garbage that holds us back.

Let’s say you’re looking at a new career. You would really like to start writing and being more creative because you want to use more of your natural talents and abilities.

On the outside it seems like a good idea, but on the inside you have these doubts and fears. You think to yourself,

“What if I’m not good enough?”
“What if I’m not smart enough.”
“What if I’m not qualified?”
“What if they don’t like me?”
“What if I’m too old?”
“What if I’m too young?”

What if, what if, what if? All these doubts running through your mind. So on the outside you really want to take steps to make this new career happen, but on the inside you feel like you’re going through hell trying to get there.

You feel stuck.

On one side of the coin you have this desire to grow and express more of who you really are and on the other side your mental garbage is holding you back.

So how do you get around it?

Start to fill your mind with positive new thoughts and beliefs.

As my gift to you I want to show you exactly how you might do that:

http://www.freedomeducation.ca/resultsfastandeasy/

Download this free video training and you will:

- Eliminate the struggle, “trying harder” and the bad habits that have kept you back
- Discover the #1 method of instantly gaining confidence and building momentum to any goal you set
- Find new ways of getting results that are easier, faster and more fun

Click here to get your training:

http://www.freedomeducation.ca/resultsfastandeasy/

Live life a joy,

Steve