Stranger Danger will get others to connect with you.

Yes, you're hardwired to be wary of unfamiliar people. It’s a survival instinct.

You’ve been taught to be anxious around strangers. Accompanied by your parents and your teachers from a young age telling you “Don’t Talk to Strangers”, teaching you how to respond in ‘fight mode’.

This only reinforces that natural anxiety.

It’s no wonder you have anxiety about entering a room full of strangers. 

The first real challenge is simply having the courage to walk up and introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

Networking is an Edge Learning skill you already know. You do! I know that.

If nothing else, you’ve read articles and books about networking, and most people I’ve interviewed know the basics.

You have a plan.

1. You know you’ve got to tell your story.
2. It requires you creating the opportunity to exchange contact information.
3. You need to say ‘thank you.’

Those steps are easy!

It’s how do you overcome the ‘fight or flight’ instinct?

1. Accept a little anxiety keeps you focused and alert.
2. Don’t accept your comfort zone. Psh yourself to take necessary action.
3. Remind yourself networking is NOT a performance test.

You’ll feel more relaxed, ask better questions, smile more, and ultimately build better relationships.

REMEMBER, this is as important ... don’t fall into the trap of going through all the trouble to finally make a connection AND NOT Follow Up a few days later.

The follow up could be as simple as,

'It was great meeting you last week. I recalled during our conversation that you said X. I found this great article that I thought could help you overcome X. I'm happy to hop on a call anytime and continue our discussion. I know I can help you Y. When's a good time? I am available on a,b,c.'

Share with someone who could use a little encouragement.

Good Luck!

Lisa

Lisa is a serial entrepreneur, business development specialist, professional speaker, host of the video podcast Coffee With Lisa and the founder of XTRAcredits Group Inc. She is relentlessly optimistic, entrepreneurial, and future-focused. She encourages contrarian thinking and rapid experimentation.

Lisa has worked with personal brands and companies such as Grant Cardone, Sharon Lechter, Coach Micheal Burt, Gordon Tredgold, Tom Hopkins, Jim Cathcart, Patricia Fripp, Dr. Tony Alessandra, Assessments24x7, Society of Human Resource Professionals, HRCI, ICF, and many more. Find out more about Lisa by clicking here.

—- Follow XTRAcredits On FACEBOOK â€”- #EdgeLearning

XTRAcredits is the marketplace where those professionals seeking Edge Learning. The continuous process of developing the peripheral skills that have the most impact on a person’s ability to obtain a successful and fulfilled life. Edge Learning is not about memorizing facts, instead, it seeks to develop a person’s soft skills through real-world experiences and mentoring from leading experts and entrepreneurs and offering added value of continuing education credits when you need them.