Network University

As summer draws to a close and the kids head back to school, many of us feel  a shift.  For some, we are sad to see the “season of family time” wrap up.  If you have kids, you are buying school supplies, clothes, maybe uniforms, setting goals that “this year, I’m going to be more organized with making them healthy lunches”.  Or maybe it’s focusing on having a family sit-down dinner more often, between all the after-school activities, homework, sports, etc.  Whatever your personal picture looks like, as we head into “back-to-school” season, it’s also a good reminder for us to revisit those goals we may have set in January.  The great part is, we still have four more months to tackle some of those important goals, and close our business year out strong!

If we borrow from our list of “Back To School Organization Ideas”, you will find that the time, effort and tools we use to set our kids up for success is easily translated into our own success strategies:

1.  Supplies.  We may not need to purchase new supplies at this point, but almost everyone has an area of their office that has been neglected due to procrastination, lack of time, or a need for some new organizational tools in order to have everything we need at our fingertips.  If you have that issue, set aside an hour to just begin.  Whether you do a little bit each day, or become motivated to finish the project once you’ve started – you’re on your way!
2. Schedules.  Pull out your daily planner and really look at where you are spending your time.  Often, we spend a lot of time in one or two areas (typically the ones we like the most), mainly because we are not intentional with our schedules.  There is a saying “If you want something done, give it to a busy person”.  This is because when you have a lot to accomplish, time management becomes the only way to achieve everything on your plate.  So look for one or two areas that may have been neglected in the past six months, and add them back into your schedule.
3. Activities  Some of our best and most creative ideas occur during our downtime.  When our brain is in a less stressed state, we are able to think and take time to observe what is around us.  In that state of mind, we become more creative.  Sometimes, this is when a great solution to that nagging problem suddenly occurs to us.  Or we come up with a great idea that may help take our business to the next level.  Even if it is one hour a week, think about those things that you enjoy doing most – a sport, a hobby, taking a class, coaching a kid’s team, reading a book, an hour at the beach.  One hour a week doing something you like is the first step toward relaxing and enjoying what you are doing in that moment.  If that is all that you get out of it – you’re way ahead of most people.  But my guess is, you will have secondary benefits.  An expanded network, friends or associates that may help you stumble across a great idea and a bit of down time to recharge your batteries (which seems to be a scarce commodity these days).
4. Time Management  Now look at your schedule and see how you are spending time building your network.  Are you scheduling one-to-one time with others who could help you grow your business, and vice versa?  What is a realistic amount of time you can spend on growing your business through these strong relationships?  Once a week?  Twice a week?  A few times a month?  Decide what time you can carve out to continue to build on these relationships and stay at the top of the minds of those who have your back.  Consistency is the most important thing here, so set aside the amount of time that works for your schedule, and commit to building those business connections so they are there when you need them.  And remember that in the theory of “Givers Gain”, helping another person first is like making a deposit into an account that will pay high interest.

Soon enough, we will ring in 2016, and the process will begin again.  But with four months left in the year, and helping our kids set their year up for success, it seems to be a great time to re-engage and do the same for ourselves.  Take a minute to see where your business is now.  Think of how much more your may be able to accomplish in the last third of the year with a few minor tweaks!

Here’s to all of you, and closing out 2015 stronger than you had even thought!

Sandy

http://ow.ly/9nR9v Fantastic article from @harveymackay on success through collaboration. Givers gain! #bni

“Chances of a Man Winning an Argument” Co-author Frank De Raffele used this in his power point. Sorry guys! http://fb.me/1EGnlbBU0 #BNAS

“What we perceive as a failure may simply be our inner being’s way of telling us that we are ready to move to a new level of growth.” Anne Wilson Schaef

Technology is an amazing thing.  In so many ways, we can now reach people faster and easier than ever before.  Cell phones, smart phones, book readers, laptops, I Pads, GPS, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and on and on.  While I believe there are so many positives to the advances in technology and social networking, I’d like to share a personal thought.  I miss Mayberry.

I remember as a child, watching a father and son carrying their fishing poles.  It was filmed in black and white.  A great cast of characters – Andy, Opey, Aunt Bea, Barney, Gomer and the rest.  But what I think I remember most about this classic show was the sense of community.  The small town feel of people really connecting and having one another’s back.  I miss it. 

While technology has pushed us forward in so many ways, I do observe the side effects of everyone connecting primarily from behind an electronic curtain.  Many have become so preoccupied with “being connected”, that we’ve stopped really connecting.  Kids in restaurants play their handheld games, parents are checking their I-Phones, teens are texting so much that some have injuries to their fingers from the same, repetitive texting motion. 

So I offer this for consideration.  Continue using technology – but don’t leave real human connection behind.  There are some essential skills that we must continue to hone in order to make a real connection with others when we network. 

1. Listen.  Really listen.  Hearing is an ability.  Listening is a skill that can be improved with practice.  Be curious about the other individual, ask them questions about themselves, their business.  Perhaps you may share a common interest, which may create a real connection to that person.  If everyone’s favorite subject is themselves, and you are allowing them to speak about their favorite subject while you listen intently, two things happen.  One, you learn so much more about their likes, their needs, their struggles – which may allow you to help them in some way.  Two, you leave an amazing impression on them, and didn’t even say a word.  Taking a genuine interest in another individual and listening to them creates a level of respect and trust on their part.  Both opportunities are possible by the simple act of listening.
2. Offer Help.  In Mayberry, everyone was always offering to help a neighbor in need.  Now, I realize that “Adding Value” and “How can I help you?” have recently become catch phrases.  Every other person at a networking event wants to know how they can add value to you, or how they can help you.  Unfortunately, this approach backfires unless it comes from a very authentic place.  Because when it doesn’t, what we really hear is “How can I add value to you and your business” – knowing they are waiting for us to reciprocate with the same question –  then they launch into their “pitch”.  Hmm.  To help means “to serve”.  It is a selfless act.  You do it because it feels good to help another person – to impact their life in some small way.   To connect with them allows you to share and celebrate their success with them.  When you seek to help others, it comes back around naturally in the most unexpected ways.
3. Write a note.  Not an e-mail – a real, honest-to-goodness, pen-on-paper note.  There were no computers in Mayberry.  But Aunt Bea had stationery and would write personal notes.  (Are you rolling your eyes?)  Indulge me…think about it.  When was the last time you went to your mailbox and someone sent you an unexpected card or note?  (Birthday and holiday cards don’t count).  Has anyone sat down and hand written a note to you, put a stamp on an envelope and sent it in the mail recently?  Most likely the answer is “My mailbox is filled with direct mail ads, bills and the occasional magazine.”  But if you have received a hand-written note for no reason, I venture to guess that you remember it clearly.  Why?  Because almost no one does it anymore.  It takes extra time and a few extra steps, right?  But if you’re the recipient, it says “They value me enough to make extra time and take the extra steps just to connect.”  Is there any tangible value in that?  You bet there is.  It’s called human connection.

So go forth and tweet, post messages on your Facebook and LinkedIn pages, e-mail your heart out, blog away.  But keep a little bit of nostalgia in your networking arsenal.  I love staying in touch with everyone in this tech-savvy world and it allows me to reach many, many people.  However, I never forget that it’s my Mayberry-style of networking that allows me to form the connections that are deeper and more powerful than any single electronic form can. 

Thanks Aunt Bea!