What makes for a good networker

You know for my job it is important that I get out there and network. It's a numbers game. The more people I meet the more referrals of clients I will get.
I don't particularly like networking. Don't get me wrong...I love meeting people and am naturally curious about who they are and what they do. I love asking questions and people generally love to tell me all about themselves.

Here is the problem for me. I have been to many networking events where I feel that people are in it just to tell you about who they are and what they do. They have an agenda and when exposed to the not so subtle ones you can feel as though you have been assaulted or at least dismissed if you can not serve that agenda.

These are the folks who are solely concerned for what you can do for them. They will go on and on about what they do. They may casually ask you what it is you do and once you tell them they go back to talking about what it is they do.

Why would I refer someone like this to someone I knew and liked. How could I feel that they would have any true consideration for that person and that it would not be about fulfilling their own agenda.

The people I know who are truly successful at networking are the ones that make sure they know about you. They want to know who you are and want you to know who they are...it's mutual...not one sided.

I suspect those who bring their agenda to these events are often wondering why they don't get more referrals....I think I know.

Protecting Your GPS

In the last few weeks I have know of a few people who have had their GPS systems stolen from their cars. The thieves simply break the window reach in and pull out the system. In fact this is one of the largest categories of larceny that occurs.

You may think that if you have put the system in your glove compartment or taken it out of the car you are safe. Not so...if they see marks from the suction cups that often attach them the thieves will break in and search for them. Satellite radios are up for grabs as well.

If you have a GPS... don't even bother attaching it, either with Velcro or suction cups. Let it rest beside you on the seat and use it if necessary. That way any thief looking in through the window will not have a clear clue that you even own one.

As for me .... I still use goole maps, mapquest or....call ahead.

Holidays and Stress

Well we are really in the thick of it. Thanksgiving is long over and the Christmas is bearing down on us. Despite my best efforts I can find myself getting a little overwhelmed with all there is to do and often my clients can feel the same.

Keeping it simple is what is important. Take a look at what you really value and create your holiday around that.

It's more about the people than the presents.

The goal doesn't have to be perfection.

Ease up and let others lend a hand.

Schedule and I do mean schedule a little time for yourself. Kick back and listen to some music. Have a latte or a cup of tea. Jump in the tub for a soak. Make this non negotiable.

A little time set aside for you can ease a lot of stress. No matter how busy you think you are this is really important Instead of writing dozens of cards set aside a little time as the holiday approaches to reach out and have a conversation with those you care about. You will both feel closer.

Don't try to cram everything into a few short days. The feelings that we all try to express in a few short weeks can always be spread over the rest of the year. Be thankful for the little things each day.....it's hard to feel stressed out when you are in a space of gratitude.

Happy Holidays

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Wow....the past few months have flown by. I feel like a kid that just finished summer vacation and now it's time to get back to work. In reality though I have been working and working building my coaching business which is my dream. Though I have spent a lot of my time working on my online business the past year or so it was time to focus on some offline activities.

Travel family and community were the prime focus of this summer and I can already see what the rewards have been. Starting a Powerful You! chapter, attending my step sons wedding, connecting with my family, writing for a series of e-books and going for an advanced coaching degree. It has all been pretty exciting and I can see my own dream becoming more real.

I hope your summer was filled with lots of fun and productivity as well. Here's to fall!

My New Website

I am so happy to announce that I have finally launched my new website Midlife Makeover. For all you midlife women out there it is your turn to shine! What this site will do is help support you as you make the move through midlife and begin carving out a terrific second half of life.

I love input on my work for when you share about what you need, I can get to know you even better. Please visit http://www.mymidlifemakeover.com

And let me know what you think

How Do You Choose Your Dream?

How do you choose your dream. How do you know it is truly yours and not the dream of someone else? I have found for me I tune in to my gut or stomach as some of you may refer to it. If I am considering anything that I think may be a dream for me I see how I feel...deep inside. If I feel am excited churning that doesn't go away than I begin to pay attention.

If that feeling is still there a few days later and a few weeks later when I think about how to make the dream a reality it is a sure sign that this is something to add to my dream file.

If I share my thoughts about my dream with others and they shoot it down I tune into my gut and see if I still feel the churning....after all this is my dream and if it is a true one there is nothing anyone will say that will turn me away from it.

Last week I had a chance to spend a few days in Paris, France. It was my first time and the trip was way too short. I absolutely loved it and I felt that excited churning the whole time I was there. This is a place I want to have more time to explore.....so has it been added to my dream file? You bet. I can't wait to get back there.
Dreams come in all sizes and we have them for all reasons. Travel has always been one of mine. While everyone else was ready to come home from our travels through Europe, I was in no way ready to end the trip.

Travel is one of my dreams. It may not be the same for others and that is great. For me I am looking forward to my next chance to explore this incredible world we live in.

Networking Mishaps

In the pursuit of achieving my dream it has been very important to network. When I first started my own business I was a little bit shy and so it was tougher for me to go about networking. I had a bit of the whole social anxiety thing . One on one I have always been pretty good but if you put me in a crowd it is a bit more difficult.

As the years have gone by however I have come to enjoy it, partly because my curiosity about others has overcome my shyness. I also understand that to grow my business I need referrals. In order for people to refer to me they have to actually know a bit about me and understand what it is I do. The coaching industry is still fairly new and people are often trying to figure out just what it is about.

Networking gives me an opportunity to educate others about what I do and networking is a great venue. I am often with people from all walks of life and all different businesses many of them solopreneurs. They are representing them self and their business. With that in mind you would think they would be on their best behavior.

I was at a networking breakfast and sat a table with two women, friends but representing two different businesses that they owned. They ended up behaving in a way that really made me question how much they wanted to succeed. Not only were they outwardly rude to the guest speaker but they were also rude to the waitress serving us.

Just a few short minutes before they were trying to convince us with their words why we should send business their way and with their actions they assured at least in my mind that I would never be able to do that. Honestly I don't even think it occurred to them the real impression they were leaving. But as a business person and a human I would not in good conscience be able to refer to them as I could not count on how they would treat the people I sent their way.

I understand that everyone has a bad day but when it comes to business the impression we leave can go along way to helping our business or hurting it.