5 Week Plan To Becoming A Fierce Networker

Want to transform your networking skills over the next five weeks? These activities will help anyone go further and grow networks.

Week 1: Know Yourself

Knowing yourself is ultimately the most critical thing when networking. You need to know what you are showing the new friends you are expecting to make. You must know your brand, your niche and know how to portray that to others. In week 1, focus on getting to know who you are.

- Self Talk Exercises - Create mantras and positive affirmations that remind yourself you are amazing, and you deserve only the best in life. Because news flash, you are incredible.

- Write down the four key things you want others to know about you. This can be hard, but by locking them down, you will be able to focus on the product you are selling(You).

- Write down your two points of difference. This will allow you to determine why you are the more exciting to chat to than the remainder of the humans in the room. It's a competition, be fierce.

- Eye Gazing - Find a friend and look at each other, eye to eye, for 5 minutes during the week. Get comfortable with eye contact. Also, you can use this as an opportunity to show gratitude to your friend. Tell them you love them, with your eyes.

- Vision board through trello.com your style of conversation. Ask a friend what they like about having conversations with you. Polish it up, and ask for feedback. Constructive feedback will help you sell your best self.

Week 2: Hunting Out The Tribe

You want to target the people who will elevate you. Have you ever heard "power in proximity"? It's true, being close to people whom you aspire to be, takes you further and helps you rise. Do these things in week 2 to find your tribe.

- People watching - Might sound creepy, but you should be a good reader of people. Think, what makes a good person, a good business partner, and most importantly, what are you looking to do with this human. Also, it's important here to establish some boundaries.

- Determine what you are looking for in others. What must I know about them before we move forward? Remember your focus will change your answer here. What makes them worthy of your time?

- Figure out how to keep it professional. Slipping them into your friendship circle is effortless. Remember, we want to expand our professional network. Keep it above board.

Week 3: "Shared Joy Is A Doubled Joy." Swedish Proverb

You want to start your conversation with the intent of showing them who you are. Being authentic is important. If your little blemishes pop out, that's ok, just keep them under control. Focus on these activities this week to develop your conversational skills.

- Creating A Random Connection - say "hi" to everyone at the park. It's a great place to practice chatting to strangers. It's as easily be done walking home from work, or at the beach. Focus here on making a physical connection by the end of it, handshake or hug. You want them to feel the love, and pour it into them. Please compliment them, and thank them for their time.

- You create instant bonds with strangers by finding something in common, in the uncommon. Build on the first link you find. What do you have in common? We are all connected. Do a brainstorm this week and see if you can come up with 50 ways to be in common with a stranger. A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.

- The Follow Up - Ask for the number. Do you know your own number? How can they contact you? In 2019, add them on Insta or FB, and then you can link to them straight away. Make sure you reach out first and show that you are interested. You know you have had great success if you can make them do something for or with you in 48 hours of meeting.

Week 4: Point Of Difference

It's essential in a room full of future friends, to be the one person they all want to know. Build yourself a reputation. Quickly. It's about how you adore them.

- Find a moment to make an announcement to a group of people this week. Maybe give gratitude to a team member or manager at work meeting, or at a community group, give thanks to the leader or a friend in front of others. Stand up, speak from the heart. Get comfortable doing this. Make it a weekly ritual or even a naturally a thing you do.

- Passion is beautiful, and in networking, you need to make sure you can speak with passion. Know your values. Write down a values statement for yourself. Review it daily, and importantly, believe it. Make it visible on the daily.

Week 5: The Power Of A Smile

When we connect, make sure you are speaking from your heart centre. You want to spread the message of love and never hurt the person during your conversation. Respect is super important. You don't want to change their bias. You want to understand where they are coming from, and share experiences.

- Look in the mirror and look at how you smile. Then jump out to the public domain, and walk around all day with a smile on your face. See if this changes the reactions people give you. Do they engage more? Practice the things from earlier weeks, and see if you can hold a conversation with a stranger for 10 minutes.

- The Meaning of NO = Next Opportunity. Be comfortable with rejection. You are still a brilliant human even if dismissed because you can redirect yourself to the next opportunity. (I like to make more opportunities for others that they make for me).

Let me know if this has helped you, or has given some perspective on how to network. People are all around you, use your courage, it's contagious.

#lifelessons #growing #networking