Conquer Your Fear of Networking (Discomfort is Good)

Shyness is defined as; "An awkwardness or lack of self confidence in the presence of others." [Dictionary.com]. If this sounds like you, when envisioning the chance to get out and meet prospective individuals who could help further your career, it's time to employ a winning strategy and move to higher levels.

First, you must embrace the fact that fear is all in your mind and therefore can be controlled or eliminated. One way, is to generate the necessary motivation by clearly imagining and putting into perspective just how significant attainment of your goal will be. If you know it would be a dream come true to have a multitude of contacts, connections, and allies in your business base, it will do you well to engage in daily visualization exercises. Done correctly, this will generate much excitement, which is the foundation of motivation. You will now use this excitement and motivation to fuel the action steps in your networking plan!

Applying this technique can be likened to the training and development of Olympic caliber athletes. Bear in mind that major discomfort is part of the process. The commitment comes first. In making it, the athletes understand they must separate themselves from the norm for a predestined period of time and focus on a regular schedule of cultivation. A runner, for example, must run at least 6 days per week, maintain a particular diet, work out in the gym, and get sufficient rest. This serious competitor must wake up in the morning knowing that pain and soreness of the joints and muscles is a sure part of the day if triumph is to occur. As all of this training transpires, he or she is mentally living in the exciting and motivating victory.

To begin super star networker training, you of course, need to make a commitment to your ultimate goal. As you take the pledge, understand that there is to be discomfort. You must be ready to leave your comfort zone and experience awkwardness and blunders for a predestined time as part of your training. You must visualize your objective on a daily basis as fuel to endure the discomfort of a possible loss for words as you're meeting a new contact for the first time. You must awake knowing that you may make uncomfortable errors in your *elevator speech and follow up conversations. You must live in your exciting and motivating victory as you smile, shake hands, and introduce your services into the lives of future allies. As you embark upon your training regiment towards a more productive networking voyage, use a free subscription to "The Networking Know" e-Chronicle to find networking events, tips, and techniques.