Fitting Networking Into Your Busy Life

Let's tackle that common challenge we all experience in our networking journeys—the infamous "I'll just skip this one" excuse. We all face it—whether due to a lack of time, energy or simply feeling overwhelmed by our packed schedules, excuses not to network is an easy trap to fall into.? However, balancing the need to network with our personal and professional lives is a high priority. But knowing when to push through and when it's genuinely okay to take a step back is crucial for effective networking.?

If you're anything like me, you're juggling countless responsibilities—personal commitments, professional deadlines, perhaps even building a business while managing a day job. No wonder networking might sometimes feel like just another chore on an endless to-do list. And yes, even a networking expert can feel like skipping a networking event occasionally! Let me share some strategies to make it more manageable.?

Schedule Networking Like a Meeting:

We all have busy lives, but you wouldn’t skip a crucial business meeting or a doctor’s appointment unless there was a very good reason to do so.? Treat networking with the same importance. Whether it's once a week or once a month, scheduling this time helps keep networking a priority without overwhelming your calendar. ?

Mix Online and In-Person Events:

Blending in-person and online networking events can help you stay connected without overloading your schedule. While in-person events provide a unique dynamic by allowing for spontaneous interactions, online networking can be a godsend for the professional who is stretched thin.

Platforms like LinkedIn, virtual conferences and events, and webinars can offer significant opportunities, both locally and globally.

A well-selected online networking session can be just as impactful as an in-person event with the added benefits of saving travel time and costs.

This approach allows you to tailor your networking strategy to fit both your needs and schedule, ensuring you can engage effectively and meaningfully in a way that suits your lifestyle.

WHEN TO PUSH THROUGH

High-Potential Events: If there's a significant opportunity to meet influencers or potential clients, it's worth attending.?

Pre-Planned Commitments: Honour your commitments. If you've RSVP'd, showing up maintains your reputation as reliable and professional. However, if an emergency comes up, show respect by letting the host know that you will not be able to attend due to the unforeseen circumstance.

Rare Opportunities: Don't miss out on unique events, especially if they don't occur often. These can be unexpectedly rewarding.

WHEN TO PASS

Overbooking Yourself: Remember, quality over quantity. If attending means you can't engage meaningfully, it might be better to skip the event. It is more advantageous to engage deeply in a few select networking events rather than stretching yourself too thin across many.

Personal Well-being: Always prioritize your and your family’s health—physical and mental. Networking should not compromise well-being.

Lack of Mental Focus: If you're distracted by personal issues, work stress, or simply having an off day, your ability to engage effectively at a networking event may be compromised. Networking when you are distracted can result in half-hearted conversations that fail to leave a positive impression or, worse, convey disinterest or disorganization.? When your focus isn’t fully there, it’s more professional to pass on the event, respecting both your needs and the quality of interactions expected at professional gatherings.

Let me share a quick story. Last year, during a particularly hectic week, I forced myself to attend a networking event I had committed to—despite a project deadline and a serious desire to spend the evening at home. I arrived planning to stay for just 30 minutes. Those 30 minutes turned into two hours of engaging conversations, including a chance encounter with a local entrepreneur I admired. That meeting led to a collaboration that significantly benefited my business. If I had given in to my initial reluctance, I would have missed out on a pivotal opportunity.        

This experience is a powerful reminder: sometimes, the effort to show up can pay off far beyond our expectations. It underscores the unexpected benefits of pushing past our comfort zones and the profound impact that just one fruitful encounter can have on our professional lives.?

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I’d love to hear from you. How do you balance the demands of everyday life with the need to network? Have you found effective ways to integrate networking into your busy schedule without feeling overwhelmed? Share your stories in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to keep our networks thriving, no matter how packed our calendars are.

Staying Connected,

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