Thankful Friday

I’m not a schmoozer – I’ve never been comfortable networking. I can do it but I’d rather just chill and chat with the folks I know in the quiet corner of the room. I am a feeler though so if there is someone awkwardly standing there I’ll step it up and talk with them. Well yesterday I had a wicked headache by mid-afternoon – yes I’ve found the wicked adjective enticing to use and very appropriate at times. I was torn about going to this Earth Day event, but knew it was good for me professionally to make a showing. I got there early and chowed down on some food and gulped down some ginger ale – steering clear of the open bar. But no dice – still a bad headache, so I ended up just sitting at an empty table. Back in the day I’d feel self conscious, but this time round, not at all. And the reason, well I felt comfortable in this environment. I’ve been in this professional community for what, three or four years now. And as people trickled in, folks came up to me rather than me going up to them. It was really great as I had old friends come up and give me hugs, business acquaintances come over and chat and even had the shy out of place person come up and ask to sit with me. I had the whole spectrum while still maintaining my love of sitting. How great is that? I realized that while still suffering the headache, I didn’t suffer the event. I met some new people, reconnected with folks I hadn’t seen for years, joked around with old friends and even got a few leads for potential business development as well as for my love life – ran into my old boss who had a guy she thought might work out. He’s an architect but I won’t hold that against him.
Could I have done better networking? Absolutely. But it’s nice to know that little investment with a big return is possible from building relationships over the years. And so that’s what I’m thankful for this week. I still may not have hit 100 in my LinkedIn connections yet, but I realized that I underestimate the connections I have built. It’s much broader and stronger then I give it credit.



On the topic of headaches, someone offered up the headache could be a symptom of the flour allergy. I was thinking about that this morning and really really hope that’s not the case. I’m going to put it down to the recent weather (pressure changes) or perhaps a slight case of anemia this month.



Happy Belated Earth Day!