I feel like altos get the better end of the deal, because it seems like they can naturally sing harmony. In order for me to sing harmony I have to learn and memorize it, and I still get drawn to the melody. The .02 times I sang harmony as a soprano, it seemed like it was just the same high note over and over.
I wish I could network. I am very shy with people I don't know.
I have this problem too, unless I am angry about something, and then I will say something (say in a meeting). Therefore, people know me as an angry person, I think.
Networking is the same thing geeks do at conventions for fun. It's just hanging out with people who like the same things you do and talking about what you like. If what you like is business, you call it networking. If what you like is science fiction, you call it con-hopping. Like, I went to a convention, and a guy who thought I was cute bought me a drink, and then I met his friend who did a 'zine, and he liked a piece I wrote so he published it, and at the next con I met some of his friends who also liked what I wrote, and suddenly I was having a beer with Stephen King. You never know where you'll get to just because of someone you met and made a good impression on.
Yeah, I don't think I've puffed myself up as part of networking, or been puffed at. if I was going to seal the deal at this training session I would need business cards, since I'm not at a LinkedIn place with any of them yet. but that's the end step of most of it these days. I do that with vendors and consultants, which are more directly related to my gig.
Oh, business cards. I should print up a few for this thing. Even though one way or another my job title is going to change...
Remembering I'm going to be at something where I might need more than the five or so business cards I usually have in my wallet is another challenge. Like this event this weekend. I need to refill.
Yay Nilly and Nilly Junior!
My boss is letting me leave at 2:00 because of the snowstorm.
At this point I wish I hadn't driven to work. We'll see how the commute back is.
Networking is the same thing geeks do at conventions for fun. It's just hanging out with people who like the same things you do and talking about what you like.
I wish being in a large crowd of strangers making small talk sounded like anything resembling fun, but I'm practically having a panic attack just reading this paragraph.
Like, I went to a convention, and a guy who thought I was cute bought me a drink, and then I met his friend who did a 'zine, and he liked a piece I wrote so he published it, and at the next con I met some of his friends who also liked what I wrote, and suddenly I was having a beer with Stephen King.
The last time I went to a convention, I stood in the back of the bar clutching my glass of wine and trying to look normal. I think I spoke to maybe three people all night.
You don't have to be in large crowds to effectively network. Just chatting with people you know could lead to opportunities (see my hair dresser example).
"Just chatting" is incredibly draining for me unless I know the other person well. It's not easy, or fun.
