Those who say you can’t… they might be right, they might be wrong.
The only person who has any real say in the matter is you.
Can you or can’t you?
Stay Positive & Either Way, You’re Right
Haaaaaave You Met
Here’s a quick networking strategy. I’ve used this strategy dozens of times at events where I know very few people. Always successfully, I might add.
step 1: Find the person running the show. (No need for elaboration, you should know who it is.)
step 2: Ask the person to introduce you to someone. If she’s in a conversation already, interrupt or awkwardly stand next to her until you get her attention.
People running the show have short-term attention spans, they’ll be ready to meet your needs within a minute.
step 3: If the person running the show is good, she will ask you what you’re interested in and then connect you with someone she knows can spark a conversation with you.
Regardless if she is good or not, she’ll still do part two and introduce you to someone.
step 4: Take part in the scariest thing in the world: small talk.
It’s as simple and as daunting as that.
Stay Positive & Networking Is Not Standing By People You Already Know For Two Hours
Enlighten Others
Static Confidence Is Key To Success
Everything about success entails confidence. It takes courage to tackle a piece of complexity and render it simply for others. It takes spirit and tenacity to stay in it for the long run, the long-haul. You can read every step-by-step guide to becoming an author, the next greatest blogger, an entrepreneur, an artist of any sort, but what each guide fails to explain is each step requires confidence before you take it. You may have every skill mastered to move on to the next step (if you are reading this, you likely do), but no one moves forward in ability without confidence.
From the wise words of Anna Deavere Smith, “confidence is a static state, determination is active.” Confidence is like a water pack you carry on your back while you chase your dreams, except, the closer you get to your dream, the more confidence you need, the heavier the pack gets. Whatever you do, do not drop the pack. It takes confidence to not move backward too.
Confidence makes you compelling and influential. It sends a signal to all those around you that you are an asset to the group (a group you may or may not be part of). Confidence is nothing you talk about or brag about, it’s what other people attribute to you.
The part about confidence no one talks about is mettle and moxie; the willpower centers of loss, the excitement of failure, the determination to get off the ground, knees scathed, and start running at the same pace you were. Moreover, it is the brashness to move forward after the “safety guaranteed” label is removed.
Returning to the step-by-step guide analysis, it’s worth reiterating you do not need to complete a step to have confidence to take the next. You can be void of skill to take the next step, but still take it – powered by confidence. For some, it may still be successful. For others, failure will ensue and you must use the mettle and moxie legs of confidence to either retry that step or move up on a different step. Confidence is a choice. Always is.
Stay Positive & While You’re Being Dynamic, Check To Make Sure You Still Have Your Confidence Pack
Enlighten Others
Is A Decision
Cutting this to do that… is a decision.
Being busy… is a decision.
Staring at the blank page/canvas/map in front of you instead of forging on… is a decision.
Admitting defeat… is a decision.
Picking yourself up after rejection… is a decision.
Picking yourself to lead… is a decision.
Wearing two different socks… is a decision.
Running from fear… is a decision. So is dancing with it.
“I don’t have time”… is a decision.
Your motivation… is a decision.
Cutting corners and making shortcuts… is a decision.
Being in it for the long-haul… is a decision.
Not moving forward with a project because your partner back out… is a decision.
Everything you do throughout the day you decide to do. So it is with what you think, how you feel, who you talk to, who you ignore. Noticing each decision may not make you feel comfortable or safe. In fact, it will likely be the opposite. Yet, it’s exactly how you will get to where you want to go: quicker, stronger, happier.
Controlling your life… is a decision.
Stay Positive & No One Said Steering A Boat In Rough Waters Was Easy
Enlighten Others
Nothing Quite Beats It
I’ve written a lot about connecting with new people, making more connections, putting yourself in environments where you find and interact with people who have the potential to mentor you. It’s worth noting nothing quite beats an email that reconnects you with someone. Handwrite a letter to someone who it has been awhile since you’ve spoken to and wish them well. Send an email to a few idols you’ve had the chance to meet and note what they said that has stuck with you since you last met them. Find some old friends on Facebook and see what they are up to. Full disclosure, you may not find those who you previously connected with have gone further in their life than you, but you have a chance to leave a positive impact on where they are at right now in their life.
Stay Positive & In This New Market, Old Friends Are As Important As New
Enlighten Others
“Really, Though, If You Had To Choose X Or Y…”
You can choose not to play that game.
A kerfuffle occurred this morning with a coworker and myself. I stated I didn’t want to take the couch my parents were willing to give me because I wanted to buy a new, more functional, appealing and comfortable one.
Have you ever met someone who likes to sporadically get you to play a game of Would You Rather? Here was his response.
“Would you rather have a new couch or go on a short road trip?”
I chose both.
He’s choosing to play the game. I’m not. A lot of games, this one in particular, are mentally and ambitiously crippling. When you choose to play, I see it as eliminating a possibility in your mind to get what you want in the real world. Forcing yourself to choose is self-limitation.
For those who want you to choose between X or Y, let them play with themselves.
Stay Positive & You Go Have It All
Enlighten Others
Customers First
At the expense of your employees, though? You will stay open on holidays for the customers, but customers can only be as happy as the employees can make them.
Headsup: happy people make other people happy.
Frustrated, sad, aggravated employees have a tough time making others happy… no matter if they get time and a half.
There’s no right answer. It’s a dance.
Stay Positive & Better Put On Some Music