I love to make people laugh. In many cases, I’m the life of the party. Many people are surprised to know that I am actually shy.
Here’s what I’m learning about myself: I’m more of an introvert than I thought.
At least three times per month, I attend networking events with my local chamber. I’ve been doing it for several months and it’s still hard for me. Actually, it’s so awkward I fret about it constantly before attending. I even have pep talks with myself on the drive there.
As I get out of the car and walk towards the front door, I pray silently under my breath, “God speak through me. You know I don’t want to do this, but with your strength I can.”
I want to stand in a corner, hold my cell phone up and pretend I’m talking to someone so I look important and involved in “networking”. I want to find someone I know, cling on to them and walk behind them like a lost puppy dog, but I can’t.
Why? Because these events aren’t about me.
They’re about something greater than myself. Something I have to stand up for and tell the world about. I have to step out of my comfort zone and remind myself that today could be the day I make a connection that could change the lives of women forever because I told at least one more person about Esther’s House.
So, there I sit at a table surrounded by people I don’t know, and if we’re being honest, people my flesh doesn’t really want to know, because it’s too uncomfortable for me.
Then I ask myself this question. What would Jennifer and Louanne do?
Jennifer and Louanne are two of my greatest friends. They’re in my “circle”. They know me from the inside out. They also don’t know a stranger. Networking is in their blood. They would meet everyone in the room if possible, and enjoy it. Oh how we’re so different.
But it works for me. So, I put a smile on my face and I “fake it til I make it”. I shake hands. I create conversation. I laugh at people’s jokes when they’re not funny at all. Sometimes I picture myself pulling out the executive’s nose hairs sitting next to me, because I can’t look at him one minute longer. (Hey.. Just being honest.)
Then I actually start to enjoy myself.
My smile becomes genuine. My interest in conversation is more in-depth. By the end of it, I’ve made some great connections.
Networking isn’t natural for me, but that doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. It grows me. It’s uncomfortable. It’s hard for me.
God didn’t create us to just follow the easy things. He doesn’t call us to things bigger than we are and say they are going to be easy. He gets us through those things, but He never said it would be easy.
So, next time you’re in an uncomfortable position, ask yourself, What would Jennifer and Louanne do?
What takes you out of your comfort zone? I’d love to hear. Share in the comments below…
