How to Speak with Comfort – Next Connect-Relate-Network Brings Us Ann Sloan’s Speak Your Power
December 2, 2013 at 3:07 pm | Posted in Networking, Self-development | Comments Off on How to Speak with Comfort – Next Connect-Relate-Network Brings Us Ann Sloan’s Speak Your PowerTags: Ann Sloan, business networking, public speaking
If you’ve ever wished for more confidence when you speak to a group, you’ll want to attend the next Connect-Relate-Network meeting December 3rd, 1:30 to 2:30 pm.
We’ll welcome Ann Sloan, a trained practitioner of Speaking Circles, who will introduce our group to her Speak Your Power method.
As Ann describes it, this presentation provides you with a practical, experiential introduction to a method—actually what could be called a “no technique-technique” — that works near miraculously to put both speakers and listeners at ease. No matter your current level of speaking skills, come and experience the joy of being fully present and the transformational “art of being radiantly yourself!”
I have experienced Ann’s method and highly recommend it. You don’t need to have anything prepared that you want to speak about in order to benefit from this event.
We’ll devote most of the hour to allowing Ann time to introduce us to this powerful technique. Nevertheless, you know we always manage to squeeze some networking in, so remember to bring business cards.
Join us at Stella’s Pizza & Pasta, 19980 10th Ave NE, Poulsbo, Washington 98370.
Please try to arrive before our 1:30 start time, especially if you want to order food.
See you there!
Elena M. Rodriguez writer & editor Pacific Press InternationalCreate Your Amazing Life Now, for Your Future Self
November 1, 2013 at 4:00 pm | Posted in Author appearance, In-person event, Networking, Self-development | Comments Off on Create Your Amazing Life Now, for Your Future SelfIf you are in Kitsap County, attend one of Connect-Relate-Network’s meetings next Tuesday, November 5, to hear the inspirational message of Robin O’Grady. She’s an author, professional speaker, coach, and ghostwriter. She has been helping others create the lives of their dreams and has studied the field of personal growth and development for more than 25 years.
Robin is known for her Five Star Success Strategy by high-achievers nationwide and is the 2013 recipient of the Soroptimist International Ruby Award for her philanthropic work with women and girls in the community.
This month, Robin publishes her book, The Optimist’s Edge: Moving Beyond Negativity to Create Your Amazing Life.
Robin will speak at both our Connect-Relate-Network meetings on November 5:
1:30-2:30 pm at Stella’s Pizza & Pasta, 19980 10th Avenue NE #104, Poulsbo
5:30-6:30 pm at the Subway, 2238 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale
Where Does the Time Go?
Today, I took a close look at how I spend my time. I highly recommend this. If you feel there aren’t enough hours in the day, you need to know how you’re spending the hours you have.
I started with a simple question: where does the time go? I wrote that in the center of a blank sheet of paper and circled it. Then I drew lines, or spokes, radiating out from the circle. At the end of each spoke, I wrote an activity – from various work projects to housework to social life, even my pets – every time-consuming activity I could think of. I came up with at least 15 categories (some of those with subcategories!). Over the next few days, I’ll surely discover a few I forgot.
Now, I’m looking at reducing or eliminating those that are a) complete time-sucks, b) not moving me towards any of my goals, or c) not enjoyable. By reducing those, I increase the space for productive and/or fulfilling activities.
You Know Where the Time Goes
You may know the melancholy song, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes.” Its poetic language evokes the passage of time through the cycle of the seasons (even while mentioning only winter and spring). Both the lyrics and the tune are tinged with such sadness, the song reminds me of the short nature of our lives. Do we have time to waste? I think not.
Once you know where your time is going, take charge of it, use it to the utmost. Imagine your future self. Would he or she be glad you spent his or her time as you do?
In Aid of Spending Time More Usefully
Once you see clearly where your time is going, you may discover what you need to:
- do less of,
- do more quickly and efficiently,
- get someone else to do,
- not do at all.
Some activities may be hard to give up. They make up the pattern of your life. Changing that pattern can be hard. But don’t despair.
Think of your time as a landscape where the plants have taken over. They’re overgrown to the point where nothing thrives as it should. You don’t even have room to plant anything new. If you do, it’s not going to survive because there’s no room.
Last year I cleared my garden so spring shoots had room to sprout.
When you de-clutter your “timescape,” you’ll have the same good feeling you get when you cleared away junk from your desk, your closet, a room – or weeded and turned your vegetable bed for a new season of planting.
You may even find space for that “someday” project – the one close to your heart, or the one that will bump your business or career up to the next step. That’s where you’ll find fulfillment. Life is short – don’t wait.
Who knows where the time goes? You should. Take charge, de-clutter your timescape; make room for the growth of your business, of your personal life or simply of yourself.
Remember that CRN is here to support your growth. Come to our November 5 meeting to network with others who are growing their businesses and their lives.
You can connect with Connect-Relate-Network by attending meetings, subscribing to our newsletter, or our blog here.
You can comment on what you’ve read here – maybe tell us what you discovered about where your time is going.
Change Gears – From Overwhelm to Overdrive – With Connect-Relate-Network
March 29, 2013 at 3:30 pm | Posted in Entrepreneur, Networking, Self-development | Comments Off on Change Gears – From Overwhelm to Overdrive – With Connect-Relate-NetworkTags: business networking, entrepreneur, Leadership
Changing Seasons, Changing Gears
We’ve been talking at CRN about mapping our ways to success through goal setting and business planning. But do you feel overwhelmed now by all the things you want to do, plus the things you must do?
I probably feel that way at least once a day! The key, I’ve found, is to harness that feeling. Turn it into energy to keep moving forward. The spring sunshine we’re enjoying may help bring your energy up – but you may need something more.
Are you looking around for advice on how to escape from overwhelm and get into overdrive? (Overdrive: the ability to move forward efficiently, with clarity and confidence.)
If this describes your feelings (even sometimes), then CRN’s founder Mary West has booked the right speaker for you at our April 2nd meeting.
Aaron to the Rescue
Aaron Logue, a locally based life coach, is coming to our rescue. Here’s how Mary described Aaron’s work: “Caught in a vicious cycle of busy, buried and behind? Every leader knows that feeling. You think that if you work harder, faster, and longer, you’ll eventually get ahead. But no matter how hard you try, you keep falling further behind. Aaron can help!”
Mary endorses Aaron based on direct experience: he’s her life coach.
Sounds like he has the advice we need to hear when he speaks, at the next Connect-Relate-Network meeting in Silverdale, about “How to Lead and Still Have a Life.”
He’ll base his talk on what he has learned from leadership expert Dale Burke.
If you question whether you’re a leader, don’t. If you’re in business for yourself, or want to build your own company, and you’ve joined our networking group, I know you’re a leader.
Members – Remember Your Goals and Business Plans
CRN members: bring a copy of your business goals or one-page summary business plan to our meeting. It should be in writing (or tell it in pictures) to share with the rest of our members. (If you haven’t written down your goals for the next six or 12 months, or created a business plan and ideal customer description, check out my earlier blog posts with tips for getting started, HERE and HERE)
Visitors are welcome at our Silverdale meetings. First time visitors attend free, with a $10 fee for any subsequent visits. We meet every first and third Tuesday at the Subway at 2238 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale (WA). Our events page will have more about upcoming meetings; find out more about our business networking group HERE.
Subscribe to this blog to stay informed about when and where we’ll be opening up new Connect-Relate-Network groups (Poulsbo coming soon!) and for occasional tips to help entrepreneurs and small business people.
Comments are always welcome here!
posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International
Networking without a Net
November 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm | Posted in In-person event, Networking, Self-development | Comments Off on Networking without a NetTags: business networking, Kitsap County, referrals, silverdale, social media
We all know we must “network to get ahead” but how many of us know whether we’re doing it right? Whether we’re owners growing our businesses or employees wanting to get ahead in our careers, networking is a skill we must practice. As a member of a group like Connect-Relate-Network, whose stated purpose is to network, you practice what I call networking with a net. Networking becomes second nature, so you can do it “without a net.”
Ferry Crossing Puget Sound
What Is Networking without a Net(work)?
I took a ferry to Edmonds recently to attend a writers’ conference full of workshops about writing, publishing and marketing. Looking around the conference, I noticed lots of networking. Was it advertised as a networking event? Not at all. Yet, for many of these writers, the networking made the event worthwhile. Writing is a solitary act. Surrounded by other writers who share similar struggles, we made a lot of noise for folks who usually communicate in writing.
We were noisy with the excitement of networking without a net. By “without a net” I mean, it was not promoted as a networking opportunity. However, for those who came prepared, there were many chances to connect. I’m following up with valuable contacts made that weekend.
We don’t always think about networking with others in the same business. It seems counter-intuitive. “Aren’t they my competitors?” you ask. Perhaps. But you might find a partner for a project that’s bigger than either of you could handle alone. If your industry or the product you represent has national or regional organizations or conferences, join and attend. You’ll stay current with new trends and up to date information affecting your business.
Aaron Murphy is a Kitsap County based architect and owner of ADM Architecture. He told me why he takes time from his business to get on a ferry to attend American Institute of Architecture events in Seattle. “Being in a rural community, or as smaller business owners, we can become detached from progress. In a room with 500 people who are in the same field, you can get your continuing education almost by osmosis (though you’re not going to get credits for it).”
Aaron also belongs to the home builders’ association in Kitsap County. First he checked with other architects who belong to find out what they got from membership. While we might hesitate to ask “rivals” for advice, Aaron said we’d be surprised that they will often share freely of their knowledge and experience. His fellow architects confirmed that the KHBA could be a good place for him to make connections.
While the majority of the organization’s members are contractors, even they might be competing for the same business. “There may be a couple of contractors in there that are doing home design and ‘taking work away from me,’” Aaron said. “But more often than not the reality is that they may meet a client before I do. They need to know and like me, too. They’re part of my referral base.” On the other hand, when Aaron has the first contact with clients, he has the chance to recommend the best builder for their project – the other side of the networking equation.
More Ways to Get out of Your Net(work)
Networking is not “sell, sell, sell” all the time. Let yourself be known and trusted – sales and referrals will follow. Concentrate on learning about the people you meet – their goals, as well as their needs and challenges – so that networking is a win-win activity.
Where else can you network without a net? (You don’t always have to take a ferry, like Aaron or I did.) You can think of others better suited to you, but here’s a starter list:
- Local chamber of commerce
- Alumni association
- Continuing education classes (local community college, your professional organization)
- Self-improvement courses and events (e.g., Toastmasters – my personal favorite – for leadership and speaking confidence)
- Community service organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis)
While those require you to show up in person, you can now perform your networking act on the web, through social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
Social media, is changing rapidly; there’s always more to learn.
For more information, come to an in-person event with social media expert Valarie Harris, SocialMEDIvA, speaking on “The 10 Dos and Don’ts in Social Media.”
When: December 4, 2012, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the debut of the new Connect-Relate-Network
Where: the Subway sandwich shop (meeting room), 2238 NW Bucklin Hill Road, Silverdale WA
At Connect-Relate-Network, where our purpose is networking and referring, you can network with a net. C-R-N’s supportive framework prepares you for networking without a net. Find out more about how you’ll benefit from C-R-N here.
posted by Elena M. Rodriguez
Blow Up Your Elevator Speech
February 8, 2012 at 2:59 pm | Posted in Networking, Self-development | Comments Off on Blow Up Your Elevator SpeechTags: black enterprise magazine, elevator pitches, elevator speech
I said, “blow up your elevator speech” – not destroy it. When I say blow it up, I mean expand it. Write a longer script, all about you and your business. Go on at length; don’t leave out anything important (you can always shorten it later).
Granted, often you have only 30 or 60 seconds to tell someone about you, your business or product, and its value to clients. However, at many events and meetings, you’ll have time for a conversation. Are you ready to expound on your accomplishments, skills and value when you have the gift of time and an attentive listener?
Get ready by preparing a longer, fully fleshed-out script that you’ve rehearsed until you’re comfortable with all the content. (Networking job seekers should also pick up on this tip – just be sure to include your career goals in your script.)
Good Advice for Networkers OR Job Seekers
I saw this advice recently, given by Sonia Alleyne in her “Tip of the Month” column in Black Enterprise magazine. It resonated strongly with me, and I had to share it with you. She wrote:
“In an age of sound bites, elevator pitches, and 140-character presentations, I’m suggesting that you prepare a script – two to three pages of your accomplishments, desires, talents, hard and soft skills, problem-solving abilities, insights, ideas of industry projections, and goals – fleshed out with personal commentary. The truth is, you will rarely need to pitch to a desired contact in only 60 seconds – most conversations in network settings or in interviews are not conducive to the sound bite….[P]racticing constant abbreviations restricts how you see yourself – and therefore what you present to others. So practice elaborating until you’ve created a script that fully represents who you are. After that you’ll know where and when to edit.”
So go ahead – get expansive – blow it up! Be ready to explode at your next networking event.
Check our scheduled meetings page for the next Connect-Relate-Network.
Posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International
Discovering and Leveraging Your Gifts – It’s Not Mission Impossible
January 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm | Posted in Author appearance, gifts, Self-development | 1 CommentTags: interactive training, silverdale
Each of us enters the world with a gift. Our mission – should we choose to accept it – is to discover what our gift is, to develop it and share it with the world. Today I interviewed Joe Raymond, a local therapist and coach, about a workshop he’ll give January 27, 3:30-7:30 pm at Herban Gardens in Silverdale. He’ll guide those who attend through the process of “Discovering and Leveraging Your Gift.” Here’s part of our conversation:
January 27, 3:30-7:30 pm in Silverdale
Elena: What do you mean by discovering your gift, Joe?
Joe: Another way to say it would be finding your passion, but it’s not just what you’re passionate about. It’s also what you’re good at. The idea behind “gift” is to find the talent you have the most passion for.
In this workshop how far will most people get in the process? Are they just scratching the surface or are they walking away with something more substantial?
We spend about the first two hours in an interactive training. Then participants pair off to ask each other a set of questions. Then I give everybody a free one-hour consultation to go over their answers with them. We explore together how they can apply that.
When they pair off, they interview each other with questions you supply?
Right. The person you pair off with would take those, interview you, and write down your answers; then you’d ask them their questions and write down their answers. You’d give those back so they take those with them. Then when they come to see me, I would go over all that with them.
So the next step is the one hour, individual consultation; what does that involve?
That depends on the individual. I’ll work with them from whatever point they’re at so they’re able to take something away. Someone who’s pretty proactive on their own would be able to just go with it. Others may want to continue to do a little more work with me.
When I discovered my gift, it was part of a three-day workshop, but one day was devoted to us as individuals finding our gifts. The other two days were other aspects of community building. I’ve made a deep study of the subject and worked on my gift of embracing change.
One thing I noticed: I’ve always written about change. When I look back at my journals from the 1980s, I was already referring to myself as a change agent. I can see I always had that gift, but it wasn’t until I discovered it that I was really able to get out there and do something with it.
So it was a matter of becoming conscious of something that was there all along.
Exactly.
Many people call themselves coaches – some are life coaches, some are business coaches. Do you see yourself focusing more on personal issues or more on career and professional issues?
I think I have a potential and talent to help people with their careers, although I take a different approach from someone who would be purely a business coach, because I work more on the passion side, rather than the organizational side. I focus more on the personal side, but the personal as it applies to your career.
So getting the personal side lined up so that you can be more effective in your career.
Right. I can also help employers notice what their employees’ gifts are, then they can actually write the job description around that rather than trying to make the employee fit the job description. Let the job description fit the employee.
That’s interesting. Sounds like you’re taking us to an ideal world, which I guess is what we’re all trying to move towards. How would you describe your qualifications for giving this workshop?
One thing is, besides being a coach, I’m also a certified counselor. Many coaches out there have no counseling qualifications. They may do a good job of coaching, but when it gets into real change, and how to reach inside people… For some coaches, if the person is not motivated they pretty much say, “Well, this isn’t going to work for you.”
I can instead say, “We can decide whether or not this is going to work for you, but let’s deal with some of these other issues first.”
* * * * * * *
This excerpt from our conversation is the tiniest preview of what’s in store for participants on January 27. Joe Raymond has a compassionate heart; you feel that from the moment you meet him. His wisdom, maturity and experience with counseling give you the confidence that he won’t leave you hanging in the mission to prepare your mind and spirit for bringing your unique gift into the world.
posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International
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