A Happy Woman's Guide to Networking

Whoever gave birth to Marie Forleo thank you. This bright light is shifting women's' attitudes about business with her trademark enthusiasm, grace and a lot of wisdom for someone so young. This week Marie helped me to reframe my attitude about networking, a word I used to reject and now embrace fully.

While I have been in broadcasting for about thirty five years, the very word networking has always turned me off. I'm going to say up front that working on television has many advantages; one of the big ones is that people recognize you. So there's a bit of an edge when you show up at an event and don't know anybody. However you still have to follow through once the initial introductions have been made. Believe me I have met some fabulous people when I have had the courage to attend but I've always felt that there was somewhere I would rather be and frankly I felt that there was probably somewhere most of the people attending would rather be as well.

Until I met Marie...well we haven't actually met in person yet. I subscribe to her newsletter and watch her videos with great interest. I think we're cyber friends.

This week Marie offered eight tips, no make that rules for networking and I am excited to share my take on these rules. I just love them and I hope that you will too.

Rule number 1: When you go to a networking event go with the intention of serving others. As you meet people, think of what you can give to them instead of what you can get from them.

Rule number 2: Be present. Be with the person you're in conversation with instead of looking around or past the person in front of you, to see what other interesting people might be there. Be present. I love that one. I always felt that people were moving on before we even got started.

Rule number 3: Listen more than speak. Listen...now that's a beautiful gift to give someone right there.

Rule number 4: Think long term not short term. Think of getting to know someone for who they are and not what they can do for you. Amazing relationships can blossom out of this intention.

Rule number 5: Don't over commit. Don't feel that you have to have coffee with everyone you meet or dinner, or call them or get together on the weekend at your cottage. It's fine to have a nice chat and move on with no promise of "I'll call you later." No guilt either.

Rule number 6: Be honest. 

Rule number 7: Take immediate action. If you promise someone you'll look into something for them, do it and let them know. I have built a reputation on returning phone calls and emails promptly. I do it because my word matters.

Rule number 8: Only go to events that excite you. 

Thank you Marie Forleo for allowing me to paraphrase your wisdom and thank you for stopping by.

Believing is Seeing

It is absolutely true that it's not about the destination, it's all about the journey. What I really love about working with the law of attraction (I really love it usually in hindsight, I should mention) is that you really don't need to see very far in front of you. We need to be crystal clear about what it is we want and work to remove the barriers to receiving (see my Inspiration in Action: A Woman's Course in Happiness); we need to release the need to control and/or be attached to the outcome and voila the law of attraction has something to work with. Mainly we need to get out of our own way and enjoy the journey.
I started working on writing a book going on six years ago now. I was fortunate enough to meet several like minded women who were enthusiastic about meeting once a month for almost two years, to explore what are now the principles of my upcoming book Inspiration in Action: A Woman's Guide to Happiness. We brought open minds and open hearts to our monthly gab fests and left excited about our lives. We all learned from each other and we all taught each other something. It was an amazing experience that I cherish.
Once the meetings came to a natural ending, it was up to me to get the book written. I was working full time in a rewarding and demanding job as a television host/producer. I would approach the book when I had  the energy to give and I was practicing the principles, making sure that what I was writing about actually worked.
My plan for the book was to self-publish and do some courses and public speaking about the eight principles that now govern and guide my life. My secret fantasy was to quit my job in a couple of years, when the book was completed and take on the next chapter of my career. I was clear in my imagination about what I wanted and I don't remember telling a soul. I released the dream and carried on.
Nobody could have predicted how the opportunity to leave my job would show up. First there was a fire that destroyed our Newsroom and the television station I worked for was forced to relocate in a building that didn't have room for the production facilities for our program. So my partner and I worked with our editor in a rented edit suite in another part of town and I had a desk at home. Almost two years later, we were brought into the building just a few months before huge change in the company's business model. All staff members were offered a reasonably generous severance package and I accepted.
I am now happily writing and polishing my book, doing public speaking about the principles and in about a month I'll be teaching an eight week Course in Happiness. I'm also doing freelance on camera and voice work. I'm telling you this journey is amazing and I'm not concerned at all about the destination.