Networking to a New Life

Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in your comfort zone -- is the single most powerful key to a creative career and business move. Yet many people resist. Sometimes they don't understand the concept of networking. At other times, they set impossible goals. Here are some guidelines for network for your second career, home or life.

Create your own supporting CAST

C= Cover Story. When you're a midlife, mid-career transitioner, you can't come across like an eager-beaver, bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed newbie. You may not be comfortable calling to say, "I'm thinking of becoming a certified beach blanket analyst. Can we talk?" Decide whether you're seeking information, clients or both, and plan a positive opening that presents you as a fellow professional, not a beggar.

A = Action. Begin anywhere! Talk to people -- even those who seem unrelated to your dream. As you talk, you'll hear yourself refining your goal and moving to truth. Start with the nicest, friendliest sources you know and ask them for referrals.

S= Slow. It takes awhile to build a network. Begin before you need one, if at all possible. If you're starting from scratch, don't rush. Desperation drives away your best resources.

T = Target. Network to those who can help, not necessarily those easiest to find. Sitting at a table with eight potential clients gets you started -- but choose a networking event with eight referral sources and you'll move faster. Talking to ten sales assistants probably won't help you learn how managers hire sales people.

"No way -- not me!"

When you truly resist networking, we have to consider that:you're not sufficiently excited about the goal to generate momentum.

You're happily settled in a comfort zone and need an anti-gravity rocket to pull away.

You'd rather be boiled in oil than call and mingle.

You have unique challenges about the way you come across: you're too much of a maverick or too "different" to be effective

You're exhausted just thinking about it.

I won't ask you to become a new person, although I encourage responsible risk-taking and experimenting with new behavioral styles.

It IS true that the greatest rewards will go to those who can work a crowd effectively. My former colleague "Xavier" could give a twenty-minute talk and come away with at least three free-spending clients.

However, you can create an unconventional plan that builds on your strengths and allows you have to connect with strangers. You might take or teach a class, join an organization, promote your website aggressively and more. Your progress may be slower than your friend the networkinag champ -- but if you persevere you can reach your own goal without sacrificing your own sense of self.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

3 Reasons to Join a Group

Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More

Networking - Facts to Ponder

Right here in Europe, the very last continent to enter... Read More

Which Networking Events Should You Attend?

How does one determine which are the best events to... Read More

Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 - $1,000,000 - You Never Knew You Had

There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More

Networking

Networking: Is it who you know or what you know... Read More

Time to Hire a Professional Networker?

It used to be that people said that there was... Read More

Did You Market Yourself Today?

"If you build a better mouse trap - the world... Read More

Business Networking ? Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert

If you have been in business for any amount of... Read More

Networking: Breaking into the Buzz

Breaking into conversational groups is one of the things people... Read More

Write It Down!

Why would you want to write information on paper when... Read More

Mother Said - Wash Your Hands

Think health articles are boring? This one isn't, so read... Read More

Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so... Read More

Sell For Yourself Or Sell For Your Boss?

First of all I would like to start this article... Read More

Networking - How To Do It

Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More

Build Your Business through Strategic Networking

Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More

Sticky Situations: Nametag Best Practices

Because a person's name is the single context of human... Read More

Ask for What YOU Want and Gain More Business

Why ask others for help and what do you gain... Read More

Sharpen Your Business Networking Skill To Grow Your Small Business

Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network... Read More

Are You Leveraging Your Business Network?

Just yesterday I received an email from a colleague telling... Read More

Giving the Gift of Your Name (The Networking Factor)

Although, this is about giving the gift of your name... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Networking for Wallflowers: How to Profit from Getting into the Crowd

The two most common complaints about networking are: 1) I... Read More

The Promotion Factor: Seven Strategies to Promote Yourself and Your Business by Playing Golf

Effective business promotion is more powerful than advertising. Using golf... Read More

Lesson 61 - When Does Aggressiveness Turn Into Annoyance?

The StoryWhen attending conferences, conventions, or private events, it's guaranteed... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More

Discover Your Own Source Of Business Leads

Generating new business leads is critical in your success, no... Read More

How to Announce a New Product

How can the introduction of new products affect the way... Read More

How to Turn Water into Lemonade by Giving a Flavored Answer to a Fruitless Question

I remember the first time I opened the fridge to... Read More

Develop a Great Network - Pay It Forward for Maximum Success

Who needs a network of people to talk to about... Read More

Networking Know-how

Successful networking requires the understanding from the get-go that it... Read More

Keys to Successful Networking While In Transition

Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More

People Know People

I recently entered the keyword "networking" into Google. In 0.13... Read More

It Pays to be Friendly

Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More