Embrace all possibilities – all opportunities…

This has been an interesting and rewarding series of posts; I hope I have shaken up your thinking and provided a few new thoughts that will stick in your mind as you are out in what you might previously have viewed as a jungle!  Does it seem a bit more friendly?  Do you have a tad less angst about the process?  Today, I am going to ask you to push the edges of your comfort zone at another level… never pass on an opportunity to make a long-term connection!  Take an assertive position and make it happen – for you and for all the potential it promises.

Know no regrets…

What I am asking you to do is to shift your thinking from one of making that connection somewhere in life and not following through with getting enough information that you can re-connect.  How many times have you visited with someone at an airport, in line at the store, or even at some sports event or concert – only to leave, thinking what a nice connection that was, but making absolutely no attempt to ask for any contact information?

I heard a story once about former PR professional Joe Martin having a perfectly wonderful, unexpected opportunity to visit with NBA star, David Robinson, and did nothing to make himself memorable, nor give himself the privilege of following up with him.  Joe simply didn’t think to ask – and based on how many times he recounted the story, something he forever regretted!

Step into your place of courage…

James Malinchak also shares a story of having met the actor, Dennis Hopper, at a social event and mustered the courage to stop and visit with him over supper.  Unlike Joe Martin, however, James also stepped up with another show of courage and asked Dennis Hopper for his contact information so that they might reconnect.  He was surprised at how easy it was to walk away, having exchanged their information on napkins!

If you don’t ask – you don’t get…

Both of these stories remind me of a statement I must have heard a thousand times from my Mother:  “You will never know if you don’t ask; and you always have a 50/50 chance of a yes!”  Add to that the age old philosophy of nothing ventured/ nothing gained and there you have it… Go for it – step right up and ask for the connections you want in life.

Create a formula/phrase that you can count on to work…

The process doesn’t have to be painful or uncomfortable, all you have to do is to craft a little “formula/ phrase” you can practice and use over and over again that will get you exactly what you want… contact information of someone you want to build a relationship with!  My formula is as follows:

“Gosh, the time has just flown, Ted.   I had such a great time visiting with you and surprised at how many things we have in common!  I really like building new friendships – how about exchanging information so that we can stay in touch?”

This may be a bit uncomfortable the first three or four times you say it, but as you refine the message, and express it authentically at the end of a truly great conversation with someone, you will find that your request is equally authentic.

Action Step:

Make a concentrated effort, first – to design your own “formula/phrase” and then… use it on the next three to four people you meet.  After the meeting, and having made the request, take a few minutes to embrace exactly what transpired.

1. How did you feel in making the request?
2. How did the person respond to you?
3. Were you more excited about the outcome than nervous?
4. Do you feel there is something you can modify to make it more natural… more authentic?

By the way, I have really enjoyed spending time sharing this series of messages with you!  It is obvious that we both share a genuine interest in the power of networking, and since I enjoy building friendships with like-minded people, perhaps you would like to email me at Jan-Vitale@cox.net and connect with your next “future friend!”

Jan Vitale, building my business, one relationship at a time

Vital Enterprises, LLC