Should I stay or should I go? I can never decide!
I don’t meet the right people at networking events.
I go to events but I feel so awkward there I don’t feel like I make a good impression.
I sign up to events but end up bailing at the last minute because I can’t bear to go.
I’ve been there.
In fact, I was there just last night. There are lots of events where I live – currently Brighton – and coming from London, there were even more! I could very easily go to something every night of the week.
But. I’m aware that I’m an introvert. Why would I put myself through that hell?
Last night for example I had to do a real costs/benefits analysis on the bloody thing before I worked out I was running late and that gave me the permission to stay home. Whoops.
What I am also aware of the value of meeting new people. Talking to people about my work. Offering advice and may be landing a new client. Or making a new friend, a business partner, someone to collaborate with on an exciting project.
Fair enough if you get all your clients and customers from a site like Upwork or Fiverr or even your own website – but I’ll be honest: the biggest and best opportunities I’ve ever had? All started with meeting someone – yes – face to face.
Now this isn’t true for 100% of the time and I promise I will do a podcast on the most introvert-friendly ways of landing new clients and connecting with collaborators and reaching customers – I will!
But today I just want to help you with that age old introvert question that comes up when we’re tempted to go to a real life in person event.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast, I’m helping you answer that age-old introvert question: Should I stay or should I go?
I discuss:
- One of the biggest myths about networking events
- Kevin Bacon
- How to work out your ideal networking outcome
- My one principle for expanding my comfort zone
- What you can do before the event to make it easier to go
- How to make a game plan
- My go-to game plan
- How to assess your energy levels
- The best mindset to be in