What do you do if your schedule is overwhelmed with virtual networking activities?

When overwhelmed with virtual networking activities, prioritise by assessing the significance and prospective rewards of each event. Schedule time blocks for networking and stick to them. Delegate or postpone less important jobs to free up time. Use digital technologies for effective communication and follow-up. Set specific goals for each networking session to keep focused. Avoid burnout by balancing networking with self-care and rest. Regularly examine and change your calendar to keep your workload manageable.

Firstly, it’s crucial to identify which events are most aligned with your goals. Not all networking opportunities are created equal. Prioritising events that offer the highest value in terms of connections and learning is key. For example, when I started Markman Media, I faced a flood of invitations to various virtual meetups and webinars. I began by listing my goals and then selected events that directly supported those objectives. This helped me focus on quality over quantity.

Setting clear boundaries is essential to prevent burnout. This includes defining specific times for networking and ensuring you have downtime. In the early days of my career, I often felt compelled to attend every event, fearing I’d miss out on opportunities. However, I soon realised that being selective and protecting my personal time made me more effective. Now, I allocate specific blocks in my calendar for networking, ensuring it doesn’t encroach on personal or family time.

Utilising technology can streamline your networking activities. Tools like calendar integrations, automated reminders, and note-taking apps can be lifesavers. I use CRM tools to track my interactions and follow-ups. For instance, after a networking event, I immediately log key points and follow-up actions in my CRM. This ensures I stay organised and maintain meaningful connections without feeling overwhelmed.

Being selective about where you invest your time is crucial. Not every invitation needs to be accepted. It’s okay to say no. I recall a period when I was inundated with requests for virtual coffee chats and panels. I started assessing the potential value each opportunity offered. If an event didn’t align with my goals or offered limited networking potential, I politely declined. This strategy helped me focus on high-impact activities.

Delegation is a powerful tool. If you have a team, leverage their strengths. For example, my team at Markman Media often helps with preliminary networking tasks, such as researching attendees or drafting follow-up emails. This allows me to focus on high-level interactions and strategic conversations. Delegation not only lightens your load but also empowers your team, fostering a collaborative environment.

Regular reflection helps in evaluating what’s working and what’s not. Set aside time to review your networking activities and their outcomes. I periodically review my calendar and the outcomes of the events I attended. This reflection helps me refine my approach and ensures I’m investing my time wisely. Reflection also provides an opportunity to celebrate small wins and recalibrate strategies.

Leaders solve problems. The #1 problem of our World? Distraction. The solution? Concentration. How does one concentrate? Focus. What are ways to Focus? ?Organize ?Prioritize ?Practice ?Self-Reflection