The wisdom of walking and words...

Let's go for coffee.

Let's do lunch.

We should grab a drink.

We have all said this at one time or another, networking mostly happens sitting down or in noisy crowded spaces where we don't get to get past pleasantries and small talk. Maybe we get to 'catch up' with those we know but there isn't much of a chance for us to break boundaries of hierarchy, age and experience. Certainly there are very few times in life where we get to meet new people as adults outside our social circles or sectors of work.

It was the global thinker Nilofer Merchant who I first heard say "sitting is the new smoking" and whose TED Talk really shook me out of my old school thinking about how networking should happen. Already hosting my own networking events I hosted my first "netwalk: networking while walking". You can see the public thread here on Twitter - it was a great success. I've learned so much from those who have joined me at this summer event for the past several years, this year we had a little over 30 people attend and I asked them for their thoughts and learnings...here is what they shared.

I'm glad I came

So, 50 people had RSVP'd to come in one form or another and hey, act of god, act of dog, kids, cars, health, weather, traffic - humanity plans and the fates laugh right? And no judgement from me, but several of the no shows let me know it was about rolling out of bed on a summer Saturday morning to be there before 9am. What many of those who came, especially the strangers who don't know me and came with a friend after hearing about the event online shared that they were really glad they came. After a few years I even have a few repeat offenders and they always share that they get something new every time. A lot of life is about that unexpected payoff. Make no mistake, I didn't share that I always stack the deck in my networking events with recruiters, publishers ( thanks Ann of Hilborn ), coaches (thanks Janice), undercover CEO's, Executive Directors and hiring managers - life is a job interview. So why not get out of that horrible interview process and audition as your authentic self? Less pressure on both sides. Hosting this event isn't easy for me either eh, I'm 40+ now with small kids. I do this because it refreshes my network, refreshes my soul to meet such ambitious positive people out in the sunshine! So why not try a new form of networking some time soon? Heck, I always get dozen or so tweets and emails "when is the next one so I can come?", why not host your own? It costs nothing but time and energy. Try it, you won't regret it.

I'm really overthinking things

This was a wonderful new point of insight from several of those who attended - wow I'm really hart on myself! Speaking to strangers about your work and life goals is awesome because of the objectivity. Hearing from others at different ages and stages of life is a HUGE perspective opportunity. And so many people came away realizing they are trying to do too much at once. Hitting BOTH work and life goals in the next six months? Trying for a promotion AND new skill development while ALSO executing on major life changes? You need to pace yourself, slow down, be strategic and nothing gives you permission more than hearing this from a fellow ambitious overachiever, especially one who has tried and lost, then tried again and won because they worked smart not just hard. A good third of the group wrote back to me and let me know they are going to rethink some part of their life and career planning after this walk.

I need to get reading again.

Ok, if you know me by now you know I'm a book junkie. It's NOT that I love to read, it's that books saved my life and career. When I was stalled, stuck, held back and knew that I needed help and couldn't afford coaching, couldn't get access to mentors or memberships that it was BOOKS that saved me. It's why I've left my local public library in my Will as a beneficiary of my estate, it's not that I don't love my kids, it's that they wouldn't EAT if not for authors and the library that gave me access to their wisdom. And speaking of wisdom, I'm indebted to my own mentors ( of all ages young and old, personal and virtual ) for helping me branch out from just business books. Here was the mobile library that I brought with me on the walk; you'll see yes business but also self-help, philosophy ( Stoic to be exact ), fiction, marketing and well, yes more business books. And my biggest reminder to all who ask how I read so much is that I CHEAT!! Audio while washing dishes, e-books on the subway and hard copy on planes ( 90% from the library so I can audition and give myself permission to stop reading what isn't working for me ). If you have questions about any of these books that have had a HUGE impact on my life and career, or if I can customize a book list for you, please get in touch.

Why walking?

It's not just the physical - actually many of those who attended commented "boy I thought there would be more physicality to this" and I keep putting in my invitation - THIS IS NOT EXERCISE. I actually host a private walking meeting 3 to 5 times a week one on one ALL year long, yes every single week. And if you've walked with me you'll know my speed is "mosey", I usually walk with coffee with no lid and start with the caveat "if I spill this, we're walking too fast". There is an unwinding that needs to happen for real interpersonal exchange and walking was built for conversation. I also got a lot of comments that we should have switched partners more ( I only switch partners up once in a two hour walk ) let me share that I lament that we have all got too used to "speed networking", heck a lot of industry events are even called that! Mosey my friends mosey, or rather, go at the pace of the relationship. I now have peers running, bicycling even swimming to network all across Canada after attending one of my events. I'm proud to have people start businesses together and even a couple who met at this event get married. Life is long, you've heard it takes a village to raise a child? It takes an army of light; infantry, scouts, archers and soldiers all who align with your vision and values - that takes recruiting. So start now.

Let me finish with this - right now, the world can so often seem like it's going to hot shit. Politics and social media and the divisions in society, it can take us all to a dark place. I do this NOT out of generosity but out of a deep need to confirm there is LIGHT in the world. To push myself out of my own comfort zone ( my first summer event several years back was the first time I had ever wore shorts in front of business associates, *confession* I have terrible networking anxiety myself ). And every year I meet strangers ( often new immigrants join us ) of powerful positivity, ambition, generosity, peace and caring. Each time I leave this event with a heart full of hope. This year was no different, thank you to ALL who joined me. I am deeply grateful that you invested your most precious resource, time, with me. To you, and to YOU reading this, I wake up every single day with one question - "how can I serve someone good, to help them be GREAT". And I need to do something before I let myself sleep, every day.

Can I help you? Reach out, no strings, no catch. And if I have ever helped you, please, do this for another.

Walk on friends. Walk on.