Stop Networking and Start Connecting

Let’s talk about how to build meaningful connections and authentic relationships. A.K.A.-networking.

By definition networking is

“Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit.”

But successful networking involves your ability to connect in genuine and authentic ways. Let’s face it, we do business with people we like.

How many times have you gone to a local coffee shop to work? Most of these shops offer a wireless network for their patrons to use. Now tell me, what is your first step in accessing their network? That’s right you have to connect. If you want to gain access, you must first establish a connection. When you are presented with your next opportunity to network, in order to tap into the information, resources, and trust of a person, you must first establish a connection. Connecting is the gateway to endless possibilities.

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

 5 Ways to stop networking and start connecting:

1. Be Genuine– Be sincere, show that you are truly invested in the conversation and your commitment to connect with the person. Give sincere compliments and be yourself. Truly connecting with someone often means you are willing to place yourself in a position of vulnerability by revealing your true self. This will open the door and invite the other person to do the same.
2. Practice Active Listening-This means listening to understand not to be understood. This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, try to understand the entire message being sent. This is critical when you are communicating with your clients or customers. Look at the person, clear your mind and give verbal and non-verbal cues that you are listening. Provide feedback by summarizing what was said.
3. Ask open ended questions-Ask questions that will help you understand more about the person you are speaking with, without getting too personal. A question like “How did you get into this line of business?” Is a good follow-up to “Tell me what you do?
4. Use the person’s name-Learning a person’s name is one of the first steps in showing respect and building a relationship with someone. I like to use the person’s name at least 3 times in the conversation.
5. Follow-up-what is the point of building a connection if you have no intentions on following up. A true connection will develop over time and eventually turn into a meaningful relationship, but you’ll have to make that phone call, send that email or schedule that meeting. Don’t just collect the business card, actually use the information on it to start connecting.

 

Join us for our next opportunity for you to connect and start building meaningful relationships.

Join us for Cocktails, Conversations & Connections onThursday May 19,2016.  Learn more

 

 

3 Ways to Practice Gratitude Everyday

 3 Simple Ways to practice gratitude

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I wanted to share 3 ways you can express gratitude everyday. Research shows that people who practice gratitude are happier have improved health and more likely to maintain healthy relationships.

Did you know that it is physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. The more you practice gratitude the more it will become an intrinsic part of your life.

Try these 3 Simple Things this week

1. Take a Daily Thank You Walk.  Remind yourself of everything that you are thankful for in your life.  Doing this at the start of your day will set the tone for an uplifting and productive day. Gratitude is like a muscle. the more you use it the bigger it becomes.

2. Share it! Sharing your gratitude with others is a great source of inspiration. Leave a note for your partner letting them know 3 reasons why you are grateful to have them in your life.  Place gratitude notes in your kids backpacks, or send gratitude texts, letters or make a gratitude call to a friend.

3.Post Daily Reminders of gratitude in your home or in your office. Here are a few of my favorites:

Gratitude prepares your heart to receive life’s abundance.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving holiday filled with love, joy and gratitude.

5 Quotes that will change Your Life

 

5 Quotes that will change your Life

1. When people show you who they are, believe them”-Maya Angelou

2. “You must do the thing you think you cannot”-Eleanor Roosevelt

3.” Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny”-C.S. Lewis

4. “Follow your passion;It will lead you to your purpose”-Oprah

5. “There is no passion to be found in playing small..”-Nelson Mandela

 

Dream Killers: How to Spot them and Stop Them

We all have a unique purpose and plan for our existence on Earth.  Our dreams and desires are specifically designed to help us fulfill this purpose in life.  In order to fulfill your purpose and destiny, you must be aware of the people, places and circumstances that are designed to get you off course and give up on your dreams.  DREAM KILLERS!

Dream Killers can be a person,thought or idea that attempts to destroy your dream.  Dream Killers have been known to assassinate the dreams and plans of thousands of people.   The first step is to recognize some of the enemies of your dreams.

Here are some common dream killers:

Failures-There is not one person on this earth that has not failed at something.  What makes or breaks a real winner is the power that you give it. Success is never final and failure is never fatal, unless you let it.  The one indicator that you are trying is that you have failed.  To reach your dreams and fulfill your purpose you must learn to fail up.  This simply means that you use every failure as an opportunity to propel you to your destiny.

Fear-Fear is the #1 killer of dreams.  Fear of failure or for some,fear of success, can be detrimental to your success.    Fear is often not based on reality, but rather the pain, frustration or torment that we associate with past experiences and emotional bondage.  The opposite of fear is love.  Love yourself enough to put fear in its place.  Identify the root of the fear that you are experiencing and start rewriting the horrible mental movie that plays in your head.  Identify fear for what it is-a dream killer!

Energy Vampires-This can come in the form of anything that drains you of the productive and purposeful energy that you need to be the best version of yourself. Author and motivation speaker, Jim Gordon,refers to as “Energy Vampires”.  Here are the common Energy Vampire Perpetrators:

• The victim-the world is always against them
• The Drama Queen-Drama, Drama, Drama-enough said
• Debbie Downers-this person can never be happy
• Jealous Jenn-always wants what someone else has

You are the protector of your own energy.  Surround yourself with         like-minded people, who sup, push and motivate you to achieve your goals.

Equip yourself with the tools and tactics to live your best live now!  Don’t let dream killers murder your dreams.

Visit http://www.thedivamovementohio.com for upcoming events and resources to support your personal and professional development

 

What would you do if You Could Not Fail?

Does your life lack motivation and passion?  When was the last time that you were excited about waking up and attacking the day with enthusiasm?  Have you allowed life and circumstances to suck the passion and purpose out of you?

John Maxwell, a great motivator, speaker and author said that “the courage to fulfill your vision comes from passion, not position”. That’s good news for you, my friend.  No matter where you are in life, whether you’re in a dead-end job or meaningless relationship, it’s never too late to live a life of purpose and passion.

Here a few simple things you can do to live with purpose and passion on a daily basis.

Pursue your passion-Your passion is the fuel that powers your purpose. Consider these questions:

1. What could you do without getting paid?
2. What speaks to your spirit?
3. What gives you peace?
4. What would you do if you Could Not Fail?

After you identify and define your passions, begin feeding and nurturing those passions by investing in activities and thoughts that serve these passions.

Stretch yourself-The average person uses only 10% of their abilities, potential and brainpower.  Learning how to tap into the other 90% is essential to pursing your purpose and passion.  You can have more when you’re willing to give more.

Identify and Eliminate Distractions-Many of us waste valuable time on meaningless activities.  Begin to identify time wasting activities and be the captain of your fate by controlling the use of your time.

Strive for excellence-Notice that I said excellence not perfection.  Excellence is giving your personal best each and every time.  No one is perfect and trying to obtain perfection will be a never ending source of frustration. John W Gardiner said “Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well”. Challenging yourself to excel will build confidence and competence.

Living a life of passion and purpose is vital to having a fulfilled and meaningful life.  For additional resources and tools to help you live your best life visit The Diva Movement website,www.thedivamovementohio.com