Sound familiar? Do you dread walking into a room without knowing anyone? Do your palms get sweaty, your stomach starts to turn, and you want to turn and run? Do you ever make it to the parking lot, only to turn the car around at the last minute? It used to happen to me too.  What if I said that it really IS possible to feel differently about this activity?



Have you ever thought about this? What is it costing you in possible business, in possible new connections if you don't attend? In terms of monthly income. One hundred dollars? One thousand? More? Can you estimate the impact of one year of missed events? Think about that for a moment.....is it worth the cost?

Now, let's get back to our story. When I asked how she felt, she started out by saying that she was nervous and not really looking forward to it…. When we probed further we uncovered the following: She wasn't feeling great about how she looked, the shoes she planned on wearing weren't comfortable and most of all she wasn't sure she could reach her objective of meeting 20 or 30 new people. An ambitious goal, wouldn't you say?

So what did I suggest? First, be sure you're comfortable in your clothing and in your shoes. Feeling good about yourself will project outwardly to those you're about to meet. Do you need a haircut, or different shoes? Any distractions will keep you less than present when engaged in conversation.

Secondly, I suggested she get in line. You know, the food or drink line! Now, you'll have time to scan the room for someone you may know, see whom you might want to meet, and you can easily begin a conversation with the people standing in front and/or behind you. By the time you're ready to move on, you will most likely be comfortable in the room, and will have met two people you didn't know before. A great start towards meeting your goal for the event.

The last suggestion is don't give yourself a goal that may be difficult to reach. Meet as many people as you feel comfortable meeting, or get lots of cards with the intention of connecting at a later date. Do what works best for you.

Remember, whether you're discussing food or business, attending a networking event is all about marketing yourself while exploring new relationships. SO GO! Get some food and keep practicing your networking skills to begin expanding your circle of influence. Most of all, have some fun!