Success Formula – Pt II

First I want to thank you for all of the excellent positive feedback about this blog.  I’ve been told it expresses heartfelt experiences and thoughts which is helping people adjust their own lives and discover passions.   I personally feel this is important because you allow me to be me.  You have invited me into your life by just reading and I don’t have to ‘filter’ what I say or think…who you read is what I am. (I hope that makes literal sense)

After all that, let’s move on to another insight to the success formula:

And That is…NETWORKING

“OK Joe, how obvious is this?” But do you truly understand the power of networking?  Until you accurately optimize it, you will take much longer to reach your financial wealth.

It took me up to this point in my life to figure this out because for most of my business life, I was involved with the music/recording industry locked in a nightclub DJ booth, recording studio or radio station control room.  Although it was geared towards the public, you do not have much practice with social interaction in those settings.

When an industry event came around I often found it challenging to interact with five or six people in that social setting or conference.   However when it was time to step on stage in front of hundreds, even thousands of people it was second nature to me; ‘interacting’ with all of them at once was easy (to me).

In my personal struggle, this was the reason it was difficult to transition to a ‘normal’ social setting of small groups, or even one on one.  On stage I was in control and there was no personal interaction with anyone; most importantly I was not prone to receiving individual feedback.

Remember my post on fear? At the top of my list was socializing and networking and when I decided to join the Real Estate Investment NETWORK, I knew it would HAVE to change.  Talk about stepping out of my comfort zone.

In my mind, it would have been OK to stick at the back of the room, take my notes, run home and stay in my office until the next meeting where I could slip in under the radar once again.  But that didn’t happen and when I say this was a life changing experience for me, it’s the truth.  Inside of three months (which was really only three actually meetings) I was sitting at the FRONT of the room interacting with as many people I could.  I wanted to fully ENGAGE to meet and learn about the people, listening to their stories and experiences.  What transpired was incredible relationships forming friendships and business colleagues that are truly helping me today.

Because of my own experience,  this is also why I try to INITIATE networking to those people I sense have that same sort of social fear.  I was there, and maybe I still am in a bit of ways…but I step into it and don’t let it control or obstruct me.

So…ENGAGE in NETWORKING

Showing up to an event is great, but it’s only a quarter of your journey and you are NOT networking by only showing up.  You need to focus, listen and interact with others and sometimes YOU may need to initiate the conversation.  Don’t rely on having networking COME TO YOU.

NOW HERE’S ANOTHER NETWORKING SECRET:

There is a difference between ‘socializing’ and ‘networking’ in my view, and when you can COMBINE the two (after the event at the bar, personal meetings, telephone conversations, game nights etc) in a relaxed setting, this is when the magic truly happens.  From my experience, ‘like-minded people’ never stop talking about their interests and/or knowledge.  Take note,  listen and respond!

People have told me they are not able to network at events due to lack of time and I find that hard to believe; are they just waiting for people to seek THEM out?  Don’t fall into this trap, seek what you need.

Believe me, I have learned so much AND have developed strong, very powerful relationships in three short years that I never had in over twenty five years of business.

So my advice is network as much as you can…it will reward you immediately.