30 Day No Fear Networking Challenge: Week Three

Alright, let's get real for a second. If you had told me a month ago that I'd be belting out a Whitney Houston song on video on LinkedIn, or walking up to strangers with a basket full of questions, I would have told you you were insane...but here we are friends.

I kicked off the No Fear Networking Challenge with one goal: to try and push past fear and show up boldly in conversations, connections, and collaborations.

What I didn’t expect? That some of these missions would change the way I see networking forever.

From playing LinkedIn matchmaker to straight up singing (badly) on video, this past week I pushed myself into some truly awkward, surprising, and eye-opening situations.

Some days, I crushed it.

Other days, I wanted to curl up in a blanket burrito and pretend this challenge wasn’t a thing.

But every single day, I learned something new.

Networking doesn’t have to feel like torture. It can actually be...fun?

Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane…

Day 15: Playing LinkedIn Matchmaker

I posted a call-to-action: drop who you are, who you’d love to meet, and your coffee shop order. Why? Because I believe we are all one connection away from something amazing. The results? Pure magic.

Conversations sparked.

Intros were made. And people found opportunities just by showing up in the comments, in fact, I ended up having virtual coffees with some of the commenters later in the week and it was so much fun! This was one of my favourite missions.

Day 16: Icebreaker Roulette with Strangers

I walked up to three strangers and asked them random icebreaker questions I pulled from a basket.

At first, I thought I was making their day worse by interrupting them. Instead? They thanked me. This genuinely blew my mind!

A barista lit up as she shared that she’s learning to let go of perfectionism.

A thrift store employee told me she’d rather travel to the past to change things in her life.

A vet receptionist shared her dream to visit Greece.

We’re all craving real conversations. We just need to start them.

Watch the full video here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/michaelaalexis_i-walked-up-to-three-strangers-today-and-activity-7290214045956112384-DyKO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Day 17: Performing Something I Knew I’d Be Bad At

This one? Mortifying. It took me hours to build up the courage to do this.

I forced myself to sing (badly) and post the video online.

Why? Because we all fear looking dumb or cringy. But the thing is… nothing bad happened.

No one cancelled me (that I know of).

No one laughed (well, maybe with me).

And I even had fun.

What...is...happening...to...me?!?!

Day 18: The Networking Hat Trick

A surprise win!!!

In one day, I:

• Had a LinkedIn call that felt like a coffee chat with an old friend Sara Berry
• Talked to Rob Lawless , the guy meeting 10,000 strangers (yes, really). He is just the coolest, I loved our conversation! Check out his mission: https://www.roblawless.com/
• Cold-called three Indigo bookstores to set up book signings (and didn’t die!)

Day 19: Sharing a Milestone on LinkedIn

This day? So emotional.

Serendipitously, I ended up getting my books delivered this day and decided to share this huge moment on LinkedIn.

It's still hard to believe that I went from being laid off and lost to a published author because of one moment on LinkedIn.

Years ago, I took a deep breath, reached out to Scott Stratten for advice, and he responded by sending me a box of books...one of which completely changed my life.

Fast forward, and now my book is here. I finally get to pay it forward to others who are struggling with networking, self-doubt, or social anxiety.

Day 20: Reach out to somebody that you've left on read

I finally replied to an old coworker, Steve, who had invited me for coffee earlier in the month… and I totally forgot to respond.

Instead of feeling guilty forever, I decided to just reach out, apologize, and catch up.

Lesson learned? It’s never too late to reconnect. Better an overdue reply than an opportunity lost.

Day 21: Contributing to 5 Collaborative LinkedIn Articles

I wanted to love this one. I didn’t. It felt like I was talking at people instead of with them. I’ve realized I thrive on real, interactive networking, not just posting into the void at people.

That caught me by surprise because I feel like before this challenge, I would have been happy to not have to interact, but I've slowly started to enjoy some of the crazier missions.

This is so wild to be even saying, but networking clearly is a muscle and I feel like the more I do it, the easier and more fun it's becoming.

What’s Next? The BIGGEST Networking Event Yet!

This challenge may be wrapping up soon, but I’m not even close to done.

On February 11th, I’m throwing a big virtual launch networking party for my book, No Fear Networking: A Guide to Building Connections for the Socially Anxious Professional, and I want YOU to be there!

Here are the deets:

Date: February 11, 2025

Time: 12 PM - 1 PM EST

Where: LinkedIn Live

Expect live networking, fun icebreakers, and real, meaningful conversations, because that's what networking should be!

?? RSVP Here: Join the LinkedIn Live

And if you want to grab the book that started all of this, you can preorder now!

Preorder links:

AMAZON USA: HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/NETWORKING-CAREER-PROFESSIONALS-MICHAELA-ALEXIS/DP/1394268556

TARGET: HTTPS://WWW.TARGET.COM/P/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-BY-MICHAELA-ALEXIS-HARDCOVER/-/A-93267542

BARNES AND NOBLE: HTTPS://WWW.BARNESANDNOBLE.COM/W/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-MICHAELA-ALEXIS/1146073963

WALMART: HTTPS://WWW.WALMART.COM/IP/NETWORKING-FOR-EARLY-CAREER-PROFESSIONALS-HARDCOVER/7917002233? WMLSPARTNER=WLPA&SELECTEDSELLERID=0

AMAZON CANADA: HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.CA/NETWORKING-CAREER-PROFESSIONALS-MICHAELA-ALEXIS/DP/1394268556

INDIGO: HTTPS://WWW.INDIGO.CA/EN-CA/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-A-GUIDE-TO-BUILDING-CONNECTIONS-FOR-THE-SOCIALLY-ANXIOUSPROFESSIONAL/9781394268559.HTML

CAVERSHAM BOOKSELLERS: HTTPS://WWW.CAVERSHAMBOOKSELLERS.COM/SEARCH/9781394268559

BLACKWELL'S UK: HTTPS://BLACKWELLS.CO.UK/BOOKSHOP/PRODUCT/9781394268559?GC=LDOEAY4O3Q

BOOKTOPIA AUSTRALIA: HTTPS://WWW.BOOKTOPIA.COM.AU/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-MICHAELA-ALEXIS/BOOK/9781394268559.HTML? SRSLTID=AFMBOOOKHD67EVYAVLAX4WQAPYH5OVH6E1UPKW5GGE3WH_JGRR1S3XJZ

PLUSBOG: HTTPS://WWW.PLUSBOG.DK/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-MICHAELA-ALEXIS-9781394268559

DUSSMANN: HTTPS://WWW.KULTURKAUFHAUS.DE/DE/DETAIL/ISBN-9781394268559/ALEXIS-MICHAELA/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING

PAAGMAN: HTTPS://WWW.PAAGMAN.NL/PRODUCT/81351801/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-DOOR-MICHAELA-ALEXIS

WILEY: HTTPS://WWW.WILEY.COM/ENUS/NO+FEAR+NETWORKING%3A+A+GUIDE+TO+BUILDING+CONNECTIONS+FOR+THE+SOCIALLY+ANXIOUS+PROFESSIONAL-P-9781394268566

SCHULTHESS: HTTPS://WWW.SCHULTHESS.COM/BUCHSHOP/DETAIL/ISBN-9781394268559/ALEXIS-MICHAELA/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING? SRSLTID=AFMBOORIBR85MIKBC89KI75OUXFLHEOBJ2SDOSFRYOAGNG_BFNF7S-HP

BERTRAND: HTTPS://WWW.BERTRAND.PT/LIVRO/NO-FEAR-NETWORKING-MICHAELA-ALEXIS/31481017? SRSLTID=AFMBOORRSRKR7NEH7YNF72JKUVQCOIF8LPDI4FX8TN7DJGARLXRRQHH0

SWIATKSIAZKI: HTTPS://WWW.SWIATKSIAZKI.PL/AUTOR/MICHAELA-ALEXIS

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Whether you've followed along or took on a few of these challenges yourself, I hope this inspires you to take one step outside of your comfort zone today.

Because you never know where one connection might lead.

Love and coffee, Mick