{"id":134,"date":"2015-04-28T11:19:26","date_gmt":"2015-04-28T15:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.highheeledsuccess.com\/?p=134"},"modified":"2018-04-17T14:42:53","modified_gmt":"2018-04-17T18:42:53","slug":"networking-overcoming-the-fear-its-importance-and-how-to-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.highheeledsuccess.com\/?p=134","title":{"rendered":"Networking – Overcoming the Fear, Its Importance and How to Do It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you think \u201cyou either have it, or you don\u2019t\u201d when it comes to networking.\u00a0 Or, maybe you think that connecting, making conversation, and socializing comes more naturally to others, than to you.\u00a0 Well, guess what?\u00a0 You do<\/em> have what it takes.\u00a0 I know this because I was the consummate wall flower in a former life, so and I am here to tell that you can<\/em> do it!\u00a0 Further, networking is an important part of career development.\u00a0 It\u2019s an investment worth making for yourself and in others, and it\u2019s not as hard as you may think.\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore.<\/p>\n

In my case, and in the case of almost every woman I\u2019ve ever coached, the driving factor in avoiding networking (and many other things in life) is fear.\u00a0 In fact, fear holds people back from many opportunities in life that can enrich, propel, and grow us in significant ways. Real fear does serve a purpose.\u00a0 It is intended to help us avoid danger.\u00a0 When we encounter potential real <\/em>danger like fire, an impending tornado, or entering a crime-ridden area, we use our knowledge and judgement of the situation to make the best possible choice about how to proceed.\u00a0 However; the objects of phobias like heights, spiders, or flying, are not dangerous in and of themselves, but they may make us uncomfortable.\u00a0 If we dwell on that discomfort, and the \u2018what if\u2019s\u2019 that accompany it, fears can grow into full blown phobias.\u00a0 The driving reason women are fearful of networking is often due to a lack of self-esteem, which is ironic, because networking is a fantastic way to boost your self-esteem!\u00a0 Overcoming this hurdle requires improving how we value or see ourselves, which can be done when we really look at the truth of the matter.<\/p>\n

Although you may fear interacting with a group of people at a networking event, it is not a dangerous situation!\u00a0 Approaching any one of them will do you no harm \u2013 quite the opposite!\u00a0 There is absolutely nothing to fear.\u00a0 You may be nervous, and slightly afraid perhaps, but debilitating fear that paralyzes is irrational.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s review these following truths about networking.<\/p>\n

People at networking events:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Are all there for the same reason; to network!<\/li>\n
  2. Are typically in an open and receptive mindset.<\/li>\n
  3. Usually want to help you as much as you want to be helped.<\/li>\n
  4. Are not going to hurt or harm you in any way.<\/li>\n
  5. Are very interested in what you can provide in terms of a connection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    But, if you are fearful, you may be feeling and thinking just the opposite.\u00a0 Here are some falsehoods about networking.<\/p>\n

    People at networking events:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Are all there to make fun of and laugh at me.<\/li>\n
    2. Will ignore me and make me feel unwanted.<\/li>\n
    3. Will want to make me look like a fool.<\/li>\n
    4. Will bite me if I say something stupid, or humiliate me.<\/li>\n
    5. Will think \u2018who do you think you are, and what are you doing here?\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Ridiculous, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 When we are fearful, it is typically because we have chosen to believe a pack of lies about ourselves, a situation or others that simply isn\u2019t true!\u00a0 To overcome the fear is a process of thought replacement \u2013 quit lying to yourself, and replace those outlandish thoughts with the truth \u2013 whatever the situation may be!<\/p>\n

      Perhaps your fear of networking isn\u2019t on such a grand scale, but rather in one-on-one settings, small group opportunities, or at a party.\u00a0 The same logic applies.\u00a0 Fill your mind with the reality of the situation, and positive thoughts, and then choose to proceed with what you know to be true.\u00a0 It also helps to focus on other people, their interests and needs, rather than yourself and your perceived shortcomings.<\/p>\n

      If you aren\u2019t fearful of such situations, or now that you are armed with the knowledge of how to overcome your fears, you might be thinking \u2018Why do I need to network?\u00a0 Things at work are just fine.\u2019\u00a0 Well, they may be fine today, tomorrow or next week, but what about after that?\u00a0 The business landscape is in a continuous evolution of change that typically keeps pace with rapid technology improvements, regardless of industry.\u00a0 Just as you need to invest in your health by eating proper foods and exercising, and in your financial future by building and monitoring your investments, so it goes with work.\u00a0 Networking is like paying job insurance. Invest a little bit every month, and if you find yourself unemployed, you will have a network to reach to for help in finding a new job.<\/p>\n

      Even if your job is as stable as Mt. Everest, networking is still a huge idea.\u00a0 The advantages are almost endless.\u00a0 Meeting new people in other industries or jobs and cultivating those relationships pays big time.\u00a0 For example, say you sell widgets and you meet someone that sells gizmos.\u00a0 Your widget and their gizmo may have nothing in common initially, but you like Mr. Gizmo seller, and you decide to meet up with him for coffee every once in a while.\u00a0 One day you call upon Acme, and they really want to buy your widget, but they just can\u2019t buy it unless they have gizmos, because, well it\u2019s complicated.\u00a0 You have the perfect solution for them, because you just happen to know someone who sells gizmos, and the deal is done.\u00a0 In the process, you\u2019ve made many people happy; your customer, their clients, and Ms. Gizmo seller.\u00a0 So networking, in the end, isn\u2019t just for your benefit.\u00a0 It\u2019s for the greater good, and really keeps business humming.<\/p>\n

      So, now you may be convinced that networking is a good thing, and that you can actually do it.\u00a0 But how?\u00a0 If you\u2019re busy, introverted, or not very well connected to begin with, the task may seem monumental.\u00a0 It\u2019s really not.\u00a0 Below are several easy, relatively painless ways to get started:<\/p>\n