Sometimes it’s okay to take a break from networking. Allow yourself a short hiatus from the targeted, purposeful activity of expanding your sphere of influence by acquiring new connections and maintaining current ones.
It can be healthy to coast for a while; to redirect some of the energy you spend in networking activity and reallocate it to rebuilding your inner reserves. In short, to take a break (with or without the Kit Kat).
That’s what I’m feeling like this week. I have a lot going on in my business and in my family life. I feel battle fatigue and it’s hard to “put on a happy face” this week. I find myself needing quiet time (and I’m an extrovert!) It’s been difficult for me to make outbound phone calls or even get dressed up for meetings. I have less enthusiasm for LinkedIn invitations, especially those lazy ones that come without personalized messages and I list me as a “friend.” (Please don’t do that. Take the time to write a short personalized note as to why you want to connect with me).
Heck, it was even hard for me to come up with an idea for this blog. I was worried that I might have ran out of networking tips. Then I realized that I just needed a break.
Signs and symptoms that you might need a short break from networking
- You have noticeably less enthusiasm for networking with new people.
- You run late to networking meetings or miss them altogether.
- You procrastinate on making outbound networking calls and don’t really care.
- You don’t feel your best when you are at the networking meetings. You isolate yourself from others more than normal.
- You care a little less than you normally would about your dress or behavior at networking meetings. Dressing for success is a little too much work these days.
- Your follow up has been slower than normal and you find yourself less motivated to act on your networking promises.
- You feel like canceling your memberships to chamber of commerce, service or social clubs, networking groups.
- Even Facebook bores you.
Fear not; this too shall pass
The good news is that this is only a temporary situation. This sluggish feeling shall dissipate and your commitment to and enjoyment of networking will return. If you find yourself in the state of networking ambivalence or fatigue, do yourself a favor and take a short but meaningful break from networking. Do something physical that you enjoy.
Get out of your head and into your body for a little while. You will benefit from replenishing your energy and vitality. When you are rested and ready to return to networking, you just might find your networking”why” – the compelling reason why you invest your time, money and energy into building mutually beneficial relationships – to be refortified.
Your Networking Goal for the Week
Schedule a vacation from networking: 1-2 weeks without any scheduled networking lunches or coffees, no scheduled networking phone calls, no networking meetings. Whatever you can afford. Whatever you need. You don’t have to go anywhere to do this. You can have a staycation, if you like. Just spend your time doing the kinds of things that rejuvenate you. Rebuild your spirit and body this week by quieting your mind and minimizing your social engagement. When you are refreshed, you are welcome to return to active networking.
Warning: be sure that this is just a short break, and doesn’t become an extended sabbatical or complete departure. Networking and relationship building is good for your career, your business and your life. Take a short break, but then get back on the horse and ride soon.
