I Am Not Alone

Good morning,

It’s Friday and I’m glad...but you already know Fridays make me smile. Today’s topic is networking. It’s on my mind because I recently attended an excellent event hosted by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce featuring guest speaker Bill Ford.

Mr. Ford’s remarks were outstanding and so was the turnout, which brings us to “networking.” Entering alone into a room full of hundreds of strangers is intimidating. I’m willing to admit it...for the sake of being helpful, because if I’m intimidated despite being a friendly and outgoing person, then I know others feel this way, too.

I attend a lot of events, often by myself, and I’ve learned a simple technique that saves me from drowning when I dive into an ocean of strangers. When entering a room, remind oneself of this.

“I am not alone. There are other people here who feel just as shy as I do – or worse!”

So instead of wishing to be rescued, try rescuing somebody else. Find someone who’s mingling alone, take a deep breath, put out a hand and say, “Hi, I’m (me). How are you today?” Chances are, you just rescued both of you. They return the handshake, you say something nice about the event, and suddenly you’ve confirmed what you already knew - you are not alone.

We could go on and on with this topic. Much has been written about networking and overcoming the fear of strangers. But if you don’t have this fear, or have found your own way to conquer it, I would love to hear your insights.

For now, I’ll conclude with this thought. When faced with “breaking the ice,” be the one to go first. Nobody else wants to either and that’s reason enough right there.

It might even help someone have a sunny day!

Clarity

P.S. “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire (1947)

P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505