You can skip the happy hour 💌

As we head into the holidays (I can’t believe it’s November either!), I’m thinking about the 600 holiday cards I’m going to send. My list gets longer every year.

I also send birthday cards and congratulations cards to clients when they land new jobs.

Every Thursday, I sit down with my co-working group, and we each reach out to people we know.

That’s a big part of how I build relationships, or what some people call “networking.”

When most people hear how many cards I send, they assume I’m wasting my time. This approach is easy for me and uses my strengths, so I’ve stuck with it for roughly a decade.

Tasks feel easier when you work in your Zone of Genius.

I have a very strong preference for introversion. When I speak at a conference, I usually skip the happy hour and the networking activities. Instead, I build one-on-one relationships, because that feels natural to me.

If networking events drain you, you’re far from alone.

People often feel they need to keep doing more to build their network. I ask them one question: What would it look like to build relationships in a way that’s easier for you?

Networking doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth.

I encourage my clients to set the bar low and stay consistent. Sure, growth can happen outside your comfort zone, but it’s also okay to stay squarely in your comfort zone at times if it means you’ll actually follow through.

​I recently sat down with Bradley Jacobs, host of the Founder Unfiltered podcast and founder and CEO of Mylance. We talked about easier ways to build relationships. Bradley shared that he used to invite a new founder to coffee every Friday, with no agenda. Some of them became his friends.

We also talked about:

💌 The pricing advice my dad gave me when I charged $5 on Fiverr (he doesn’t remember giving it!)
💌 Why imposter syndrome can feel bigger the higher you climb
💌 The one thing I tell burned-out clients before they start venting
💌 Why saying “I’ll be happy when I get the next promotion” can lead to burnout
💌 What surprises me most about leaders who report to household names in tech

The full conversation takes about 30 minutes.

​👉🏼 Watch the episode for practical ways to handle imposter syndrome, burnout, and loneliness at work.​

Have a fabulous, easy week!

~ Kyle | CaffeinatedKyle.com​

P.S. Do you ever feel like an imposter at work? Our conversation explains why writing out your accomplishments won’t fix that feeling.