Networking is a tool that can provide a great opportunity to build your business, at the same time it is a skill that does not come naturally to everyone. Have you ever been at a function and felt nervous or uncomfortable talking with others? Have you ever collected contact information, but never reached out to that person after the event was over? Today, we will discuss how to use networking effectively and how to get the most out of it.
Looking for events? Try volunteering. Getting involved with a place of worship or a charitable organization is a great way to meet new people and establish contacts. Another way is to join your local Chamber of Commerce, just make sure you follow your company’s rules about doing so.
Prepare for the event. Make sure that you arrive at the event with a large supply of business cards and any flyers you have on hand. Have a plan in your mind, what is your goal for this event? Bring any business builder tools you may have such as CDs and DVDs, workbooks, etc.
Be Genuine. Just as you know in social situations when someone is mingling for personal gain, others will know if you do it. Be honest, respectful and genuine in your conversations. Listen to others and show them the same respect they show you.
Educate, don’t sell. When talking about yourself and your business, make sure to inform and educate your audience rather than trying to sell your opportunity. This provides you with the chance to build relationships and to gain interest without hard selling.
Connect. Listen to others for common ground ¬¬¬and common interests. These common interests provide a great basis on which to build relationships.
Be happy, be useful. Always be positive and happy when networking. Provide useful information and introduction whenever possible. As you establish yourself as the person to know at events, you can connect better with individuals.
Deal with Rejection. An introduction doesn’t always go the way you would like, some people aren’t interested. Don’t get discouraged, just move on. Remember the Golden Rule “One should treat others, as one would like others to treat oneself.”
Ask to be introduced. If you are new to a situation ask to be introduced. This allows you to establish contacts quickly and get a third person’s perspective on who is important to know. ¬¬¬
Be Brief. People will remember your information better if it is shorter. The longer you talk, the more difficult it is to maintain focus. Prepare a short synopsis about yourself and your business ahead of time.
Follow up. Make sure that once the event is over and you have collected the business cards of the people you have met, reach out to them, either with a phone call or a personally written note.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
J-O-B is a four-letter word
See what you think about this article I read:
When J-O-B Is a Four-Letter Word and How to Change That
In his bestselling book The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, Patrick Lencioni quotes a Gallup poll finding that 70 percent of American workers don’t like their jobs. According to Lencioni, “The primary source of job misery and the potential cure for that misery resides in the hands of one individual—the direct manager.”
Three conditions that create a miserable job:
1. Anonymity or “the feeling that employees get when they realize their manager has little interest in them as a human being.”
2. Irrelevance, which takes root when employees cannot see how their job makes a difference in the lives of others.
3. “Immeasurement” which is the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contribution or success.
Three ways to avoid job burnout and make yourself happy at work:
1. Use Trapped Downtime. If you’re at risk of burnout from boredom, find ways to fill trapped downtime with something enriching or uplifting. Fill your MP3 player with a good book or advice from a personal-development expert for when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to work. Read about trends in your industry and examples of how your job, your company and your industry are making a real difference in others’ lives. And we know you’re guilty of it because we are too, but don’t eat lunch at your desk. Get out to exercise, socialize, attend a brown-bag seminar or other way to enrich yourself.
2. Start Saying No. (But Do It Politely.) You know your workload and capacity best, so when you’re in danger of burnout from overwork, start saying no. Determine your highest priorities and make progress on those first. Achieving checkmarks on your priority list will give you something measurable to appreciate and invigorate you for new projects down the road.
3. Show Your Human Side. You’re not a robot, so quit trying to be. When something seems unethical, speak up. When something seems counterproductive, offer a solution. When something whole-heartedly tanks your job morale, share your concerns. When managers see your more personable side, they may break past seeing you as just another employee and view you as a conscientious, dedicated professional.
Blessings!
When J-O-B Is a Four-Letter Word and How to Change That
In his bestselling book The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, Patrick Lencioni quotes a Gallup poll finding that 70 percent of American workers don’t like their jobs. According to Lencioni, “The primary source of job misery and the potential cure for that misery resides in the hands of one individual—the direct manager.”
Three conditions that create a miserable job:
1. Anonymity or “the feeling that employees get when they realize their manager has little interest in them as a human being.”
2. Irrelevance, which takes root when employees cannot see how their job makes a difference in the lives of others.
3. “Immeasurement” which is the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contribution or success.
Three ways to avoid job burnout and make yourself happy at work:
1. Use Trapped Downtime. If you’re at risk of burnout from boredom, find ways to fill trapped downtime with something enriching or uplifting. Fill your MP3 player with a good book or advice from a personal-development expert for when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to work. Read about trends in your industry and examples of how your job, your company and your industry are making a real difference in others’ lives. And we know you’re guilty of it because we are too, but don’t eat lunch at your desk. Get out to exercise, socialize, attend a brown-bag seminar or other way to enrich yourself.
2. Start Saying No. (But Do It Politely.) You know your workload and capacity best, so when you’re in danger of burnout from overwork, start saying no. Determine your highest priorities and make progress on those first. Achieving checkmarks on your priority list will give you something measurable to appreciate and invigorate you for new projects down the road.
3. Show Your Human Side. You’re not a robot, so quit trying to be. When something seems unethical, speak up. When something seems counterproductive, offer a solution. When something whole-heartedly tanks your job morale, share your concerns. When managers see your more personable side, they may break past seeing you as just another employee and view you as a conscientious, dedicated professional.
Blessings!
Monday, March 7, 2011
5 Simple Steps to Squash Your Stress
5 Simple Steps to Squash Your Stress
by Noah St. John
Stress is caused by a lack of perceived control. The more control we perceive we have in our lives, the less stress we feel.
That's one reason that the major life changes bring about the most stress. For example: getting married, buying a new home...
Wow, I'm doing both of those in the next 65 days. No wonder this is on my mind :)
With any life change, we often feel a loss of perceived control. The bigger the change, the more loss of perceived control, the greater the stress.
So here are 5 simple steps to squash your stress:
1. Use AFFORMATIONS.
Afformations are empowering questions you can use to lower your stress immediately.
For example, Afformations like:
"Why am I so calm?"
"Why am I so confident?"
"Why did everything work out better than I thought?"
These empowering questions cause your mind to search for answers - which effectively switches on your internal stress-relief button.
2. Install your Introspection System.
Like your house and your body, your life and business are made up of SYSTEMS that must operate effectively for you to lower your stress. Installing your Introspection System means you make the time to do things like meditate, journal, walk in nature every day. You want to make sure that the ladder of success you're climbing is leaning against the right wall.
3. Rate yourself from 1-10.
Let's say a really stressful event would be a 10 on a 10 scale - things like the major life changes I listed above. The problem is, we often act as if getting dinner ready were a 10! Next time you feel stressed, ask yourself, "What am I right now?" Rate yourself from 1-10, 10 being "Stressed out of my gourd." Then, ask yourself if the situation really warrants that kind of reaction. The BEST way to do this with a spouse or accountability partner.
4. Find Your No.
A lot of stress comes from over-committing. Remember that time you said yes when you really wanted to say no? That's called added stress. Next time someone asks you to do something you don't really want to do, just notice it. Then learn to say no with a smile. Saying no is like a muscle. You can build it with time and practice.
5. Finally... Breathe!
This sounds so simple, and it is. Sometimes we forget to breathe!
The healthiest way to breathe to lower stress is:
1. Breathe in through your nose.
2. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Blow out through your mouth.
Try it right now. You will feel better instantly.
The health benefits of proper breathing are well-documented: better respiratory function, more balanced nervous system, healthier digestive system, even younger-looking skin. And of course, just think of the alternative :-)
by Noah St. John
Stress is caused by a lack of perceived control. The more control we perceive we have in our lives, the less stress we feel.
That's one reason that the major life changes bring about the most stress. For example: getting married, buying a new home...
Wow, I'm doing both of those in the next 65 days. No wonder this is on my mind :)
With any life change, we often feel a loss of perceived control. The bigger the change, the more loss of perceived control, the greater the stress.
So here are 5 simple steps to squash your stress:
1. Use AFFORMATIONS.
Afformations are empowering questions you can use to lower your stress immediately.
For example, Afformations like:
"Why am I so calm?"
"Why am I so confident?"
"Why did everything work out better than I thought?"
These empowering questions cause your mind to search for answers - which effectively switches on your internal stress-relief button.
2. Install your Introspection System.
Like your house and your body, your life and business are made up of SYSTEMS that must operate effectively for you to lower your stress. Installing your Introspection System means you make the time to do things like meditate, journal, walk in nature every day. You want to make sure that the ladder of success you're climbing is leaning against the right wall.
3. Rate yourself from 1-10.
Let's say a really stressful event would be a 10 on a 10 scale - things like the major life changes I listed above. The problem is, we often act as if getting dinner ready were a 10! Next time you feel stressed, ask yourself, "What am I right now?" Rate yourself from 1-10, 10 being "Stressed out of my gourd." Then, ask yourself if the situation really warrants that kind of reaction. The BEST way to do this with a spouse or accountability partner.
4. Find Your No.
A lot of stress comes from over-committing. Remember that time you said yes when you really wanted to say no? That's called added stress. Next time someone asks you to do something you don't really want to do, just notice it. Then learn to say no with a smile. Saying no is like a muscle. You can build it with time and practice.
5. Finally... Breathe!
This sounds so simple, and it is. Sometimes we forget to breathe!
The healthiest way to breathe to lower stress is:
1. Breathe in through your nose.
2. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Blow out through your mouth.
Try it right now. You will feel better instantly.
The health benefits of proper breathing are well-documented: better respiratory function, more balanced nervous system, healthier digestive system, even younger-looking skin. And of course, just think of the alternative :-)
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