The Infamous scene "Raise your hand if you've been personally victimized by Regina George"
🤚🏽Raise your hand if you've been personally victimized by the infamous mindset that you have to be an extrovert to be successful in networking. Just me? I didn't think so.
Ok listen Readerwe've all been there and this is a safe space. Seduced by the allure of thinking if we’re charismatic enough to make them laugh they’ll LOVE us…. only to realize that well… it's not all rainbows and unicorns.
Let’s take a deep dive into how you should really be networking professionally! I realized a harsh truth: my jokes go too hard in the paint. 😂 We’re laughing, but I’m serious Reader. I think because I’m a therapist, I don’t know when to turn off reading into people. One of my bestie boos Marq described it once as “soul-sucking”... so I guess ixnay on jokes to win over new people.
But for real? Shapeshifting to fit into a box and try to make people like you only leads to missed opportunities, wasted time, and honestly introvert burn-out. 🥵 Anybody been there? When I first started trying network, I was completely obsessed with how I could get MY needs met. I mean sure I cared about the person I was networking with, but I had an agenda to get my needs met first because well… quite frankly I had put all my eggs into this single basket.
The problem was I wasted a lot of time and energy connecting with the wrong people. I was trying to make them fit when they simply weren’t aligned with my personal values and my mission.
And don’t even get me started on how trying to shapeshift in networking:
🔸 Diminishes the person’s ability to see your God-given talent aka they don’t even want to connect with you cuz you’re giving fake…
🔸 Overcomplicates the simplicity of creating genuine human interactions (which as an introvert you’re a superstar at btw) bka they don’t actually want to send anyone your way cuz you come off very cookie-cutter…
🔸 Neglects the essence of partnership for impact - let’s be honest: this is the sole purpose of networking! Creating genuine community partnerships = deeper impact for your big goal.
Ok, ok I’ve talked enough about the problems with telling soul-sucking jokes in your first coffee-date professional networking as an introvert. Let’s get into THE TEA hunty! I’ve got a much better approach for you in networking that takes all the pressure off of you, replaces multiple coffee dates in one interaction AND helps everyone walk away feeling empowered. 😍 Oh you love this already don’t you Reader?
Introducing a Skill Share Workshop - The Ultimate Hack for Authentic Networking!
What it is:exactly what it sounds like it’s a workshop or a meeting where everyone shares their unique skills/expertise with the group
How to do it:you could start small by inviting a handful of your powerhouse friends to pick a unique topic they excel in and give them 15-20 mins to speak on it at the workshop. Let’s say you have a total of 8 people you give 15 mins to speak on their specific topic. Workshop lasts 2 hours tops and at the end of the workshop, you each have 7 new community connects!
Why it works: When you’re passionate about what you do it shines through when you talk! If you have a room full of people who hate are uncomfortable networking, it’s a win to start with friends. You might be asking well how does it grow? The next time you host one you invite your friends to connect with some of the other women they met in the last workshop.
And if that’s not enough to get you fired up to take action, check out this week’s podcast episode first.
This Week's Episode
Quick Details:
Embracing your incredible, introverted leadership abilities
Get exciteddddd Reader!! 🎉 Here's my recommendation for an amazing resource I think would be helpful for you! Some of these resources are affiliate links/resources I get paid to share. This is at no cost to you, but helps support the work I do. 🥰
I'm committed to providing the most high-quality resources to help you live a lifestyle of wellness Reader. So if you don't have a good experience with a resource I've shared, I'd love to hear about it.
*Note: When you click the button to subscribe or follow someone it's an instant follow.
Ramit Sethi
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Where 800k+ readers get actionable, no-BS advice on how to create a successful business and build a rich life without sacrificing the things they love.
Cocktails/Mocktails anyone? The BEST therapeutic girl talk happens at the Mimosa Bar for Sunday Brunch, so let's talk all the random things that have been on my heart and mind this week!
🧠 Mental Musings...
All of life... takes time which is both exciting and annoying. You think just because you work at a thing, it's supposed to happen quickly. But the truth is we're only ever making dents in our mission. For example, my personal mission is to end systemic racism, but I'm aware my contribution (though it's taking years to build) is just a drop in the bucket.
🥂 Relationship Reflections...
Relationships have hiccups and sometimes Reader you're the villain. It takes real maturity to move through conflict in relationships - especially the kind of conflict that flips your word upside down. BUT... it's possible. Here are the simple steps I'd recommend:
Feel the feelings: Get upset, be sad, allow anger to exist. Just feel.
Figure out the root: What really made you upset, hurt you OR caused you to act out of character?
Face the conflict: Don't ghost the relationship out of fear of conflict. Be brave enough to grow throw the conflict. Promise there's a reward at the end.
✝️ Sacred Surrender...
Most of us think we don't have idols before God... whole time... we do... 😬 This was a harsh reality I was confronted with in my Bible study this week. And the thing is your idol can be birthed from pain or rejection, which is how you might not recognize it's an idol. The idol I came face to face with? The thing I run to when managing my emotions. Yes I've run to God... second... for 90% of my life. 😔 But He revealed to me that this thing was an idol, I have intentionally practiced running to God first. And let's keep it real... I still mess up. Do you recognize any idols in your life Reader?
🥗 Nourishing Nibbles...
Frozen "Ice Cream"
My kiddos and I used greek yogurt to create 2 different types of "ice cream" and it was delish!
The first flavor was strawberries and the second flavor was snickers-inspired with caramel sauce and honey roasted nuts. Then we topped both with chocolate.
If you like Hip Hop/Rap, you should check out Jackie Hill Perry's Recent releases. I mean we knew she could preach and teach, but have you heard the fire she spittin'? It's been on constant repeat this week.
Ready to ditch the hustle and step into success on your terms? The Aligned Ambition™ Bundle is your free toolkit to help you reset, refocus, and align your goals without burnout. Sign up now to get instant access to the Ambition Reset Guidebook, Future Vision Mapping Tool, Aligned Ambition™ Quiz, and more—so you can create a life that fuels you, not drains you. Let’s make aligned ambition your new normal!🔥 Enter your email below to get started.
