When you’re networking with other people this week, do your best to prepare yourself in mind, body and spirit. You want to show your best self: a confident, capable person who has something of value to offer the world. You must “come from a place of strength” even if your current circumstance could stand for some improvement.

This week’s networking tip was prompted by a friend of mine who shared a frustration after meeting with a few women in her networking job group. She said:

“One of the things that I hear repeatedly, usually out of frustration and/or desperation, from unemployed women professionals is “yeah, yeah, I know I need to network without asking for something, but I NEED a job. Do you have some suggestions for those folks who are so frantic in their job search that they have a hard time separating the more global concept of and need for networking from the immediacy of their situation?” – JJ

Yes! I do have some suggestions. In fact, I wrote a whole article inspired by this dilemma. Check it out at my other web site MotivatedNetworker.com

• I entitled the ARTICLE: Come from a Place of Strength When Networking for Job Search and I included some great resources and insights from my study of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Please share this article with people you know who are in job search.

No matter what your present circumstance, you must dig deep and pull yourself together. You must remind yourself that your value as a human being extends far beyond what you do (or don’t do) for a living.

Very few busy professionals that I know enjoy networking with an overly needy or desperate person. Negative energy can really wear them down. They are unlikely to extend other connections to you, as your current state may rebound on their reputation. Don’t let this happen to you. Implement the networking goal below to your advantage.

Your networking GOAL for this week:

Take a moment to honestly reflect upon and re-evaluate the energy, attitude and behavior which you bring to the table when you network with others. Do you feel strong when you network? Do you feel whole and confident? Are you able to give back or do you just take-take-take? Do you complain a lot and bring up negative comments about people, events and things? If so, stop that immediately. You are hurting your own prospects for the future.

Now…do something to improve your mind, body and spirit in a positive, healthy direction BEFORE you network with others. Get some exercise. Mediate. Conjure up the very best memories of your life. LAUGH out loud (even if you have the fake it at the beginning). Go volunteer your time at a nursery school with young children who play for a living. Whatever it takes to SHIFT your attitude, do it…before you reach out to others. You must come from a place of strength when you network.