Five Steps to Rockstar Networking

I attended a networking event yesterday. The composition of the tables were carefully planned out, each with a tent card labeled "sales," or "IT..." The topic of inspiration was, you guessed it, "How to Build a Rockstar Network." The attendees were suprisingly ready, upper level professionals with a modicum of what they used to wear during their employment, employment that no longer existed. Apparent that they knew what to do when entering a room to network. Direct gazes, firm handshakes, to-the-point introductions.

As always, one level lower exists the truth. That pesky truth that these people had nice jobs, and incomes they could depend on. The same employer had bought the minutes of their lives for many years and they were on an unfamiliar courtship. A latent fear just below the surface, with questions and statements shot out to the universe. "Do you really want me?" "What is the secret handshake?" "I can't believe i'm in this situation."

The reality is not so stark. There is no web to detangle, no secret code to decipher. Rather it is startling simple, almost remedial. Yet in spite of the simplicity it is often overlooked. Five easy steps to building a network that a rockstar would envy.

1. Be open about yourself. The ultimate worm on a hook, personal tranparency can be transformative. Don't be the perfect version of yourself during the networking process. It's like putting a book cover on a worn book. Don't pretend you know all the answers. Learn how to be disarmingly open.

2. Be genuinely interested in others. We can spot a fake a mile away, the people who scan the crowd behind you, taking up time talking to you until someone better walks by. Instead of pretending to be interested, find the point that you are fascinated with. Figure out whether you want to have a relationship with the person that you are talking to. They will appreciate it.

3. Look for a way to help. No one will turn down useful offers of assistance. It is a great way to keep the door open until you figure out your next move. It demonstrates kindness and the effective use of some of your skills. Now, when the person repeats your name, it will be attached to service. Not bad PR.

4. Be ready to ask. Don't execute all this effort without asking for what you need when the time is right! You should know what you want, and be ready to ask the person for help if it makes sense. Don't put it off until later, you may never have this moment with this particular person again.

5. Finally, Follow up. The majority of networking bounty is lost during the follow up. Not only does it demonstrate a desire to have a meaningful relationship, but it keeps the fire lit. Do it. Within 24 to 48 hours. You will be suprised how few people actually follow up. It opens the door for YOU to make something big happen.

See? It's not that hard and it's certainly not brilliant! Just be yourself, engage in others, be helpful, ready to ask for what you need and follow up. Take this method to the breakfasts, the luncheons, the after hours events, the beach or even the farmer's market. You'll see, your inner rockstar will emerge in no time.

Vision: Preparation and Planning

Vision is a funny thing. We want something, we start to picture it and then just at the moment when our imagination gets going, something happens. A barrier rises up before us and blocks our view! Maybe the timing isn't right, you are in the wrong location, you are the wrong age, your resume is for the life you have, not the life you want.

So you stop thinking about it. It's just unlikely, so why bother? Why waste your time thinking about something that is never going to happen. Isn't that what adulthood is all about?

If you want to create a vision that will come true, if you want to stop living in fear or practicality or whatever you call it, focus on two things. Preparation and Planning.

Preparation comes from finding more out about that vision. Meet with people that have already acheived what you want. Ask them how it feels, ask them what they hate about it. Stand in their shoes for a minute and look around. Figure out what you want from the vision. Ask yourself, WHY do you really want this. Do the research in every way you can, so that your imagination has something to work with!

Then, start planning. Think of some steps that might get you there. For instance, if I want to be a talk show host, it might be beneficial for me to practice looking at that camera, an inanimate object that doesn't give me anything back! I could write out some concepts for shows. I could do the research about why an Indian chick from Minnesota might be PERFECT for the job.

If you focus on preparation and planning, if you look at that vision every day, trust me...you won't have to worry about the barriers. You will be thinking about what you found out during your preparation and your plans for the future and the the actions will fall into place!