Networking

Networking doesn't have to be painful. It can be energizing and refreshing. Here's how.

"Networking." I've always avoided networking events. They feel forced. Trite. And honestly a little like speed dating..."Hey, uh, so, uh, what do you do?" But a recent event has forced me to re-think the concept of networking. 

I was invited to my former university to be a part of a panel, charged with judging new product ideas presented by undergrads. I reconnected with a professor, met new professionals and met several students-soon-to-be-professionals who are going to do some impressive things in their careers.

As I was driving home, I was hit with my epiphany--that event was networking! My idea of networking has been too narrow and ill-defined and I had been avoiding all networking based on my misconceptions. And it's been a mistake. 

Networking isn't necessarily about making connections that can help our business. It's about finding new allies. It's about swapping war stories, challenges and successes. 

And the thing I think networking is mostly about? Recharging us. You see, when we talk to friends, co-workers or trusted advisers about our day-to-day work, we focus on the details. We focus on irritations and frustrations. And there's nothing wrong with that. We all need to vent. But when we meet someone new? We tend to focus on the broader picture. We focus on the good. By shifting that focus? It re-energizes us. 

Don't get me wrong, the mixer type networking events? Those may work for you, and if so, go! I'm talking to those that roll their eyes when they hear about networking events. Don't be like me. Plug in to events that do look interesting and have meaning to you. But recognize that those events are opportunities for networking too! We don't have to go to some corporate sponsored happy hour to connect with people, nor do we have to get way outside of our comfort zone. But we do have to get 'out there' in some way.

Not just to make connections, but to reconnect with the work we do on a larger scale and rediscover the energy that drew us to the job in the first place. Happy connecting!