Week Four Of 30-Days Of Network Building
30 days hath the month of April — and this month I’ve challenged myself to post a network-building suggestion every single day — selected from one of the special theme(s) of the day (yes, there are many many special unofficial holidays every month).
26 days in, I can say it has been a challenge! So, why on earth am I doing this?
As I’ve shared in the three prior posts, while a lot of life is on pause, building connections is not — and as old modes of networking aren’t on the calendar, network-building efforts need a dose of creativity.
The intent of these daily posts it to encourage you to continue to connect, in consistent, manageable, ways with people in your life.
Below is a rundown of the fourth week of my 30 days of network-building suggestions.
Day 20 of the #BYDN #30DaysofNetworkBuilding and it’s Volunteer Recognition Day. Volunteer Recognition Day honors the many volunteers who dedicate themselves to causes and helping others. We’re cheering and clapping for front line workers right now, so add an enthusiastic thank you today for those you know who are volunteering during this tremendous time of need.
Volunteering is a good way to build your #network, develop #leadership and transferable #softskills.
So why not consider #volunteering today? https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-to-help-others-in-the-covid-19-crisis
Here are some virtual and IRL opportunities to #volunteer during Covid-19:
https://www.volunteermatch.org/covid19
https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/
https://www.ramusa.org/covid-19-volunteer/
https://www.foodbanknyc.org/covid-19-volunteer/
https://www.feedingamerica.org/take-action/volunteer
https://www.unv.org/Volunteers-for-Novel-Coronavirus-COVID-19-pandemic-response
Day 21 of the #BYDN #30DaysofNetworkBuilding and it’s Kindergarten Day. Who doesn’t want to act like a five year old, sit on tiny chairs, take a nap in the afternoon, read, learn new words and finger paint?
Today on Kindergarten Day, why not download the Houseparty app and play a few fun games with friends (Chips and Guac: the word association game, anyone?). Or explore the Museum of Natural History https://lnkd.in/dynRCqi and check out Welcome to OLogy! the Museum’s science website for kids https://lnkd.in/ddbGVky
DCA empowers Los Angeles’s vibrant arts + cultural communities — and they have resources to inspire your activities today: https://lnkd.in/dkiWgSP
Why not turn a tea bag into a rocket or use a balloon as sound amplifier (head over to the Lottie Doll website STEM activities page to find out how). https://lnkd.in/dKxjvWc
Or come up with a craft challenge for your network, say to make use of one item they likely have in abundance right now…empty tissue boxes or toilet paper rolls. Have everyone meet on Zoom to present their creations.
Or take an afternoon nap, and muse on what you can do to support your #network on Day 22 of #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding
Day 22 of of the #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding and it’s National Jelly Bean Day. Can’t say I’m a massive fan of the Jelly Beans, however, the very idea of these bright globs of sugar makes me very happy.
Today, on National Jelly Bean, you simply copious quantities of jelly beans or, you could do that and build your #network too.
First mention of the Jelly Beans was in 1861, when a Boston confectioner urged people to send his jelly beans to soldiers in the Union Army during the American Civil War. So today why not connect a service member or their families? IF you don’t know someone in your community, here’s orgs to check out: https://lnkd.in/eRhAgwP
During the 1910s + early 1920s, a Jellybean or Jelly-Bean was slang for a young man who dressed stylishly but had little else going for him. IF anyone is dressing stylishly in your network right now, applaud them, don’t shame them!
More Jelly Bean trivia. Back in 1963, fans of The Beatles in the US pelted the band with jelly beans. Who are you a fan of that you can pelt with enthusiastic adoration today?
OF course Jelly Bean day can’t go by without a reference to Bertie Botts — so why not join a book club (or start one). Reading Harry Potter not mandatory.
Day 23 of the #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding and it’s TAKE A CHANCE DAY. Today is a day to take risks or lip-sync ABBA at a virtual karaoke party. Your choice!
Seriously, if you’ve been holding off on dreaming big, hesitant to take big steps forward with an idea, today’s the day.
Take a chance by doing 1 thing to get you closer to your bigger career or business goal.
Take a chance by hitting send on the email you’ve drafted that has been sitting in drafts for 3 weeks.
Take a chance by ditching the mindset that may be holding you back.
Dream big today. As I say, if you’re not your own best investment, I don’t know who is. So take a big #BYDN chance on YOU today.
Day 24 of the #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding and it’s Pig In A Blanket Day. Not to be confused with putting lipstick on a pig.
Today is all about eating Pigs in a Blanket Day (aka a sausage wrapped pastry). Truth be told, pigs in a blanket are a networking cocktail party highlight for me.
What can you do today? I don’t know, how about plan a virtual cocktail party for those people you’ve been “meaning” to connect with each other.
Or throw a faux-cocktail party at home (if you’re self-isolating with your family or at a safe social distance with neighbors). Decide on a theme! Get dressed up!
If today brings up memories of an IRL gathering you recall fondly, send the hosts a note, sharing a memory from their event.
Cheers! And enjoy Pig In A Blanket Day. Aka Day 24 of #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding
Day 25 of #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding and it’s World Penguin Day. The day coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins. Since like penguins, many of us are not flying off anywhere, I’m going to suggest some walks, waddles and Penguin themed #networking ideas.
If your health app has been reminding you that you’re taking fewer steps this year, why don’t you commit to walking around on your next conference call? Or call a friend to do just that. Keep pacing as you talk!
Now, to waddle is to “walk with short steps in a clumsy swaying motion” — — is there a challenging goal you’re hesitating on or complicated task you’ve avoided? Waddle on over to it today.
Penguins! Of course I think of my publisher! Here are ways to #network, connect, advance your #career with the help of PRH:
Plus big shout-out to the PRH team that supports me with my #podcast + book + no, they didn’t know I was doing this particular post today!
Day 26 of #BYDN #30DaysOfNetworkBuilding and it’s National Pretzel Day! Networking + Pretzels…what immediately came to mind for me is (a) Baseball and (b) someone who is in a twist (which could be lots of us).
Today, to build your network, why not poll your friends on the best baseball movies and plan a Netflix Party. Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.
Or channel “If you build it, they will come” from field of dreams to plan a crowd-funding campaign or launch a community service project.
Or, think of someone you can help out. You know, the person who is all in a twist that maybe you’ve left alone to “figure things out”? Help them out today.
