| For the first 15 years of my professional life, I lived and | | | | me this means that once I arrive at my new location, I |
| worked in the same town. | | | | start checking out and showing up at each of these |
| Then, I moved every year for 3 years in a row! | | | | organizations or events. The first time I did this, I |
| Disruptive as it was, I learned a great deal from that | | | | thought I'd feel awkward or uncomfortable showing up |
| experience. | | | | alone. Well, sometimes I did and sometimes I didn't. |
| One of the things I learned was how to quickly | | | | Looking back, I realized that whenever I was genuinely |
| establish myself, professionally and otherwise, in a new | | | | curious, I NEVER felt uncomfortable or awkward. I had |
| location and community. | | | | so many questions and was so focused on finding out |
| Although I figured it out incrementally, through trial and | | | | the answers to my questions, there was no time to |
| error, it has now become a very simple formula. | | | | feel awkward! So when you start checking out your |
| I've relocated recently, and of course, this is what I'll | | | | new community, take your questions with you and |
| use to rebuild my network again! | | | | show up with genuine curiosity. It will serve you well on |
| So here is my 3 step "formula": | | | | many levels. |
| | | | 3. Make at least one "friend", and build your new |
| 1. Figure out what would make you feel "grounded" or | | | | community from there. As soon as I meet someone |
| established. For me this means getting to know at | | | | whom I "click" with, I get his or her contact information |
| least a couple of people in the local business | | | | and ask if we can talk again soon. From this person, I |
| community. Or joining at least one group in which I | | | | find out more about the organization or event where |
| might get a sense of "belonging" right away. This | | | | we met, other people in the community, specific |
| makes me feel "grounded" because I know that I can | | | | information or regulations about running a business in |
| meet other people through them. So I usually look up | | | | that town, and any other questions that pop into my |
| the local Chamber of Commerce, search for | | | | head... Anyway, during our conversation, based on the |
| associations for women business owners, a local | | | | kinds of questions I ask or the interest that I express, it |
| chapter of my professional association, and so on. | | | | becomes quite apparent to the person I'm talking with, |
| From a personal perspective, I like to know whether | | | | whom else in the community or organization I should |
| there's a place nearby to go dance Argentine Tango! I | | | | meet. And my new "friend" usually makes these |
| also look for kid-related stuff -- playgroups, childrens | | | | introductions, sometimes without my even asking for it. |
| activities and programs, childcare options, etc. For me, | | | | So I get to meet other people, and start building my |
| just *knowing* that these options exist in my new | | | | new community, through this one person (very |
| location is comforting. So I search for all this before the | | | | effortlessly, you might say). |
| move. In fact, I've already done this for my upcoming | | | | The best part is that this person usually does end up |
| move! | | | | becoming a true friend. I'm still in touch with my first |
| 2. Find and engage in at least one of these things. For | | | | friends from all the different places where I've lived. |