Have you considered that we are all in a recovery period from who we were to who we are becoming because of the pandemic stripping away much of what had defined us individually and collectively over the last year?
That thought struck me to the core when spiritual activist Gabby Bernstein discussed this in her YouTube video I was listening to on Sunday. It connected all the dots
me as to why I have been challenged with being consistently focused.
Lately, I jump from one idea to the next. I shift from feeling inspired to feeling uncertain in a matter of minutes. That is not who I am. What is happening? My normal is consistently being focused, centered and clear where I am going.
I call this recovery period a divine urge to clarify while reconnecting to our consciousness and spirit for answers and solace. Does this resonate with you?
I feel our much missed in-person connections and strengthening relationships are a big part of our recovery/healing in defining who we are going forward.
It was so unnatural and unhealthy to be disconnected physically from people for over a year. Social distance and fear put a strain on our personal and business relationships. The hardest hit in my life was my family relationships after not being able to spend quality in-person time with them for over a year. I know thousands had the same experience.
How grateful to keep the connection going virtually, but that will never replace that in-person connection. With all that said, I have positive news with a high-level productive networking strategy to power up your relationships in business for the spring and summer!
After reading and listening to several experts in networking and building relationships recently, I discovered the most important part of your networking efforts is deepening relationships with a top 20 list you know is worth cultivating.
Keith Ferrazi, a world-renowned business relationship expert, thought leader, speaker, and author two NY Times best sellers, Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back, (https://www.keithferrazzi.com/books), he discovered in early life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships—so that everyone wins.
In his iconic book Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps—and inner mindset in how to apply his strategies to connect with colleagues, friends, and associates on your contacts list.
Here’s one of those leading strategies:
Compile a top 20 list of the most important people in your life who have helped you build your business, helped you network, introduced you to people just as you have for them where it’s been a mutually beneficial relationship. You know you can trust them and you share similar values and mindset.
Stay in constant contact with these people by doing the following:
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- 1x month schedule a catch-up call with 3-5 on the list till you cover all 20 over a few months’ time. Ask how they are. Ask how you can help them. Offer some resources. Creative brainstorm.
- In between those calls – send a card or an email with news or a resource you know will brighten their day. Maybe it’s their daughter’s college graduation or an anniversary or a success in their business. Something that says you care and are paying attention to their life. Simple little things like this will make a difference over time to deepen these treasured relationships.
- Invest 15 min a day reaching out to your network via social media. Post a resource, maybe something funny, or a creative idea – anything that can enhance their day.
- When we are able to have gatherings, create a private dinner with 10 of your top people. Do the next 10 for the next dinner. During dinner become the lead in connecting these people where new relationships are built. You edify each person and introduce them to the group. This will increase your value as being a high- level connector with class.
Have an outstanding day!
Much gratitude,
Marla
