Tonight's networking event? Do you really need to go?

A funny thing happens when you're trying to grow your career or business...

We convince ourselves that the next opportunity is somewhere "out there."

It's at the next conference, the next happy hour, the next introduction...

The NEXT person we haven't met yet.

Now, sometimes that's true. But often the next opportunity is already sitting in our contacts.

And yet isn't it funny, that the people we already know can feel "scary" for some reason? 

We say to ourselves:

• They probably don't remember us.
• They're too busy to grab coffee.
• They're already working with someone else.

Basically, we convince ourselves they wouldn't be interested in collaborating (or collaborating again). So... we never ask.

The answer becomes "no" before the conversation ever happens.

I've seen this with entrepreneurs, leaders and executives alike. Brilliant people with incredible ideas quietly talking themselves out of making the call, sending the email or asking for the introduction because they've already decided how the other person is going to respond.

Stop telling that lie!

The truth is...

We DON'T KNOW what's happening in their world.

We DON'T KNOW what project they're working on.

We DON'T KNOW what problem they're trying to solve.

And we certainly DON'T KNOW if we could be part of that solution.

I've been in this game for over 25 years.... and if I've learned nothing else, I know, for SURE that relationships create your next opportunity. And just because you met them years ago doesn't mean you they're "old contacts." They're living relationships... if we choose to keep them alive.

Are you ready for a challenge?!

This week...

• Check in with someone without needing something from them.
• Celebrate someone (a promotion, a milestone). 
• Comment thoughtfully on a post.
• Introduce two people who could help each other (professional match-making is fun)

Those small moments matter because they build trust long before opportunity arrives.

Now... DO IT! Send the text. Write the email. Make the introduction.

The people we admire are usually far more approachable than we think they are.

You don't need to force the opportunity. You simply need to create the possibility.

Hugs,

Jes