BYU Networking Event

In November I attended a networking event by the BYU Alumni Association. It was a dinner which brought together successful BYU Alumni. It was formal dress and the setting was very elegant. I first felt a bit intimidated because the people there were so much older than I was. I did my best to observe the mannerisms and language the people around me expressed.
After sitting down for dinner it became apparent that I was not the only one who was trying to figure out what to do. The lady that sat next to me asked a few questions to familiarize herself with the setting and it helped break the ice pretty easily. Soon enough  a lawyer from Oklahoma started telling stories of his career and how the church had an impact in his life. He was able to just captivate the whole table with what he had to say and pretty soon he was the only one talking. I admired this man for his confidence, and appreciated his light-hearted  mood which helped everyone else less tense.
It was a fun experience because I was just fascinated by my observations. Everyone seemed to know proper eating etiquette and I was glad for my training as an event specialist because it helped me know what to do so I didn't stick out like a sore thumb.
After going I learned how important it is to effectively communicate. If it were not for this lawyer from Oklahoma I do not know how comfortable the event would have been. I noticed one guy and his wife talking to the Lawyer and exchanging information. The even was beneficial to them I am sure! It is my goal to learn how to make people feel comfortable at these events and open my mouth more instead of just quietly observe. That Lawyer could have asked anything from anyone and would have received a positive response just because of how confident and comfortable he was. People like him open doors and find doors that open which is how he got to be so successful. If I want to gain that success I have to be just as confident as him at these networking events. So, as a result of this experience I am going to be more outspoken to strangers. This will give me the practice I need to shine at my next professional networking event.

I decided to learn a little bit more on networking tips, The following link is the article I found, http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2014/07/28/how-to-network-the-right-way-eight-tips/. I went to Forbes' sight to learn a little more. The first article I saw caught my eye and one of the points really got my attention. It said, "Start networking before you need it." I think that is very true because networking is not just all about you all the time. Networking is also about finding people that you can help at the same time. This simple principal would help hundreds if they applied it. I read a book called Business with Integrity and the point that was made a few times was that if you have never practiced integrity on small things, you will falter when it comes to bigger things. It is true with integrity and networking, practice builds up a person's confidence and gives them the needed experience the need to progress in their efforts. It is my desire to apply this principal by going out to find people that may need may help! It will be fun, I can feel it already!

Over the weekend a couple of roommates and I decided to go on a little adventure. Earlier in the fall we discovered what looked to be a cave up on the mountain face. We were not quite sure how large it was though it did seem large enough to fit in. We were talking about how we never actually went looking for it even though we planned on doing it since the fall. Finally I spoke up and said lets just do it tomorrow morning! So we did. The point in this is when you talk about something you have to do it! Otherwise in the future you will always ask, "I wonder what would have happened if..." My goal is to eliminate that sentence! When an idea is conceivable we should strive to achieve it and I am going to be adding that into my personality from now on. By doing such more memories will be made and experience will be gained. Besides, you never know what great things can come from a small idea.

With the recent group project we had to do finding time for the five of us in our group to meet was a difficult situation. With Google hangout we were able to have a couple of meetings via the internet. This was very effective because it gave all of us a change to talk with one another to discuss what we needed to do. It  nearly as effective as meeting in person. With this technology we were able to get on the same page and delegate responsibilities. Great way to meet because it saved on time and travel.

Today I had the great opportunity to go to my sister's birthday party. She is 23 now and still just as compassionate as she was ten years ago. My sister is one of the most forgiving, loving, and caring people I know. She often shares her belongings and never has a problem giving what she has to make other people happy. Because of her example I have done my best to be the same way she is. I have always admired people like her because they show so much selflessness. One thing she does is she does not question why a person might need help, she just helps them when she sees a need. As I have specifically been applying this trait I have noticed that I tend to stop judging people so quickly because I don't worry about the small and unimportant details. The point is to help, not to judge whether or not they actually do need help because whether they "need" it or not it is always nice to have a companion. So, I will keep applying this trait I have learned from my wonderful sister in hopes to become more charitable as she is.

I had a wonderful experience today at my cousins baptism. When people say God has a plan I don't think we all know the extent of it. I was introduced to the missionaries that were teaching my cousin and I felt like I recognized one of them a little. It turn out that she is from Zambia, even from the same branch in my district. Her name is now Sister Nyunda and last time I saw her I was the missionary in her branch, now she is the missionary that helped my cousin get baptized into the LDS church. How great is that! It was fun to talk with her about the people we both know and to hear here awesome Zambian accent that I miss so much. God has a plan and he let me see a piece of it today; I will keep looking for those small miracles so I can remember how great our God's plan really is!

This week I had the opportunity to go to a networking event for entrepreneurs. It was a great opportunity for me to see and talk to a few people that have business oriented minds. I talked to a guy named Nate while I was there who is just in the beginning stages of creating a product. He is almost done with a prototype of his soccer cleats. It was fun to learn the process of what he did to make it as far as he has. The event proceeded with some local success stories of entrepreneurs who answered some questions that the audience had about succeeding as a start up. In consequence of the event I joined the entrepreneurs club in hopes to get to know more people who share my interests.

Motivation

Today I had a business lecture series class. A guest speaker from CAT came to share with us how he got to where he is today. During the presentation I could not help but thing about how awesome it was to see someone who followed their dreams. He is currently the vice president of the company in Arizona and there were many things in his life that lead him to where is is now. It was great to see someone who had "made it" in life. Now, everyone has a different definition for what making it really is and that is just fine, but not many people can say that the have "made it" even in their own terms. Self motivation and even motivation developed though seeing others' successes will help me achieve my definition of making it in life.

I found this poster while making friends with a local in Zimbabwe. He pointed out the importance of it and it has since given me a great sense of purpose of who I must be for other people. I feel like many people and organizations jump to conclusions about a wrong that may have been done to them, thus resulting in a pattern of revenge. In the end, the story is always the same; no one ever really wins. The wisdom on this poster must start with our own lives. When a wrong is done, talk it out with the supposed offender. In many instances I have found that the "wrong" was just a simple misunderstanding, and by talking it out both parties left with clear sight. It is our job to be the person to prevent a pattern of revenge. By doing so we are sure to keep ourselves from going "blind."