This post is part of a 14 ways to help rebuild self-confidence series. We are working our way through the letters of SELF CONFIDENCE with this week’s focus being on the second N in Confidence. Previously covered are Self Compassion & Self Care; 10 Ways to Enjoy your Life; Learning, Love & Laughter; Finding your passion & your happy place; Clear your schedule of activities that don’t serve you; Open-Minded – The way to go and the way to grow!; Neutralise Your Inner Critic & Self-Doubter; Face Your Fears, Imagine, Visualize and Believe, Define your goals, and Embrace Gratitude.
In life, business, and areas of passion or interest, if we isolate ourselves too much we can lose out on many possible opportunities and experiences. As an introvert, I can put my hand up in the air and admit that yes, I am guilty of isolating myself away a little bit too much at times. I love time by myself, but yet I do enjoy the company of others – occasionally! I like my social activities to be spaced out and not too much too often! Regardless, no matter what your area of work, interest or passion, it’s beneficial to network with other like minded people for many reasons. Here are just some possible benefits:
- Friendship – Many friendships are formed by networking! You are like-minded after all!
- Satisfaction from helping others – Networking allows for like-minded people to advise, listen, support and help each other where needed. It feels great to help someone out!
- Increased confidence – For many people, networking is pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone. You will be talking to people you don’t know. The more you do this, the more your confidence will grow!
- Positive influence – It’s important to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people because the people you surround yourself with influence who you are and what you do.
- Raising your profile – Being visible and getting noticed is a big benefit of networking. If this is something you desire, then make sure you regularly attend business and social events that will help to get your face known.
- Advice – Networking is a great way to tap into advice and expertise that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get hold of.
- Connections – Ever heard of the saying “it’s not what you know but who you know”? Networking provides you with a great source of connections, and really opens the door to talk to highly influential people that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily talk to or find.
- Opportunities – With a motivated group of like-minded people comes an abundance of opportunities! There are always lots of opportunities that come from networking and in fact this is where the benefits of networking are huge – collaborations, joint ventures, client leads, partnerships, speaking and writing opportunities, and the list goes on.
- Fresh Ideas and New Information – Your network can be an excellent source of new perspectives and ideas to help you in your role. Networking is also a great opportunity to exchange best practice knowledge, learn about the techniques of your peers and stay abreast of the latest industry developments.
- Generation of referrals/increased business – In the case of business, this is probably the most obvious benefit and the reason most business owners decide to participate in networking activities and join networking groups.
Do you network? Do you think you could network more? Any other benefits to networking that you’d like to add? Got some networking ideas to share?
Ciao for now,
Linking up with Kylie Purtell for #IBOT
20 Comments
My hubby is a brilliant networker, where I am a bit quiet and prefer to leave it to him. That said, as I age, I am understanding just how important those connections are and forcing myself out of my comfort zone to enjoy networking some more.
Good on your hubby – great for his business! I can network when I want to (or like you, when I force myself out of my comfort zone) but easily get drained in crowds. Networking online suits me much better but face to face is good for us … so now and then and in short bursts I can manage it. 🙂
I’m an introvert too but have found many of these benefits from venturing out of my comfort zone and networking. Friendship and supporting others are right up there with my favourites!
Friendship and supporting others are my fav’s too! 🙂
I’m good at networking but less-so on the follow through. And I’m lazy about doing it for social purposes. As an introvert I only need a limited number of friends so am lazy about getting out and making more!
I can network with the best of them too Deb but OMG it drains me (the real face to face networking in a crowd thing) so it’s not something I’d do every day – just now and then!! I only need a limited amount of friends too – I’m all about quality rather than quantity these days. 🙂
My networking needs to be with people of like-minds and interests and this has been very hard to come by since we moved and I stopped working in education. So my networking and convos happen on-line and via my blog. For now this is working well as I am taking my time to adjust to a new life and life style. Denyse #teamIBOT
Yes that would be hard Denyse – to move away and retire from your job where you have colleagues and friends who are all like-minded and understand your interests etc. Thank goodness for the internet and isn’t it wonderful the networking and friendships that can be made through our blogs?! 🙂 xo
My networking is generally online as it’s where if find likeminded people, and being an introvert it allows me to pop in and out when I’m ready. I should do more offline networking, but save most of my time for family and friends.
Most of my networking is online too Jodi. It suits me best. Like you, I can fit it in when I want to. I do some offline networking too sometimes. I went to Problogger last year – that was a huge networking experience for me. Drained the life out of me but I really did enjoy it! 🙂
Gah! After seven years at home away from the professional sphere I think it’s safe to say networking on a business level gives me the heebie jeebies! It’s obviously something I need to get over 🙂
You might surprise yourself Melinda! What do they say … “feel the fear and do it anyway”!! 🙂
I’m big on networking. Also big on collaborating. Prefer that than competing against …
Yes you are! I have no time for competing against – such a waste of time and energy. xo
I have to push myself to attend business network meetings but it is always so worthwhile. I’ve made new friends, learned new things, found new clients and more 🙂
You’ve done really well with your networking Janet! Winning awards and everything! 😉
I use to be good at networking but this area I have lacked in over the past few years. My bad and one I need to work on.
I could do better at it too Natalie. 😉 x
I network professionally with peers who do the same role as me in other companies . I don’t network enough internally to my detriment. I’d like to network locally with women my age as I’ve lost touch with previous friends as the children grew up and I returned to work.
I know what you mean by losing touch with previous friends because of returning to work! When I was a stay at home mum and the kids were little I had a great network of friends made through Kindy, Preschool and School. Returning to work took me out of the picture and I lost contact with many of them.