Who wouldn't want to network with a view like this?

Last month I attended my first networking event as The Coastal Helper, and what a beautiful venue it was. If I'm honest though, I found the networking part much harder than I thought...

I'm not naturally someone who walks into a room and starts conversations with people I don't know. I'd much rather listen than be the loudest voice in the room.

Being right at the beginning of my business journey didn't help either. I found myself thinking, "What do I have to offer when everyone else seems so established?"

The meeting wasn't about coming away with a list of new clients. It was about proving to myself that I'd taken that first step. I am still unsure if it is the thing for me, as I am typing this I can feel the internal whirring's of my brain and body telling me I don't have to do this again. Its a quandary of knowing what is the best thing to do.

Next time, I'll put my big girl pants on and go and speak to more than one person. I did not even move from where I initially was stood, not the best for a networking meeting. People did come to me but I felt way out of my league.

Progress doesn't always come in giant leaps.

As I sat with a coffee afterwards overlooking the sea, I realised something, starting a business isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up, learning, and taking one step outside your comfort zone at a time. If I make that my mantra I might actually believe it 🙂