3 Tips to Effectively Network When You're Unenergized, Unmotivated and Uncertain As To What You Should Do

I'm thrilled to launch my first LinkedIn newsletter,?The Focus Forward Formula:?Propelling More Women Lawyers to Power Positions.?Every month I'll share tips and strategies on advancement in the legal profession to help you create a career and life you're passionate about.?

For over 20 years, as both a senior legal executive and a coach, I've been working with intelligent, accomplished women lawyers to gain greater control over their careers, compensation, and courage. My passion is helping women in the profession to go from uncertain and uninspired to unstoppable.?

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One of the most common questions I'm getting from folks right now is that while they understand that networking is critical for their careers, they are exhausted from the conditions caused by the pandemic and don't know how to do it effectively in this environment. I hope you find this article helpful.?

3 Tips to Effectively Network When You're Unenergized, Unmotivated, and Uncertain As To What You Should Do

Many of us feel like we are back in March 2020, stuck at home, juggling childcare and work. And it is even worse because the novelty of baking bread and Zoom has worn off.?

We know that networking moves careers and business development forward. While we are frustrated by the limited networking we have been able to do over the last two years, we feel stuck in our ruts and are beating ourselves up for not doing more. Here are 3 tips to network in these difficult times.

Tip 1: Understand What Networking Is

Networking is about building and nurturing strategic relationships that can further your career or business development. It is not about attending a conference or a panel discussion.

Because networking is about building and nurturing relationships, it can and should be done separately from conferences or events.

While we may build on relationships at meetings, often, the goal of attending is to expand our network and meet new people. And meeting new people is great, but it is not networking. Networking is the relationship work that happens afterward.

Because networking is relationship building, you can do it separately from attending events. It can be sharing a virtual cup of coffee, sending a note, or sharing a social media post. You do not have to meet in person to do it.

Tip 2: Track and Add Value

Keep track of the people you want to strengthen relationships with when you last contacted them and what is important to them. This way, you don't have to waste time thinking about this—when you decide to network.

The most important thing you can do when networking is to add value to the other person. Knowing what is essential to the person allows you to do this. If you see that they are concerned about a specific case, you can update them when a decision comes down. Or if they are looking for a new opportunity—you can let them know when you hear about it.?Value is more important than the amount of time you spend.

Tip 3: Chunk and Mix It Up

Networking can be exhausting, especially over Zoom. So be kind to yourself and set up short time periods you will dedicate to building or nurturing relationships. It does not have to be an hour event. It can be a 10-minute catch-up or a half-hour one while you are both walking.?

Chunking networking up to small-time slots also has the advantage of making it more doable and allows you to develop the all-important habit of doing it regularly.?

And as I mentioned above, networking does not have even to involve speaking. You can send an article on something the person mentioned or comment on a post that they published.?

You can also use one event to network with several people. Get together people who used to work together or sit on the same committee on a single Zoom call. In a single 45 minutes or an hour, you can connect with 3 people rather than 1. The group should not be too large so that conversation can flow (or use break-out sessions).?

Having a variety of networking techniques will make it feel less monotonous and tedious. It also allows you to keep in touch in the way most meaningful to your connection.

Finally, celebrate what you can do. We are in a challenging environment, and small steps make huge differences over time. And remember, if you are sailing to Europe and make a 10% adjustment, you could end up in Africa.

What more insights? Read my interview on Thought Leadership for Authority Magazine .

Sheila is the CEO of Focus Forward Consulting . She helps intelligent and accomplished women lawyers go from uncertain and uninspired to unstoppable and attain power positions where they have greater control of their careers, compensation, and courage.