Make the Ask to Access People of Influence

I want to share an exciting (but quick) story with you.

Last week I spent the majority of the week in Dallas, Texas for the 10th Anniversary eWomenNetwork International Conference. I look forward to this event every year because is it the perfect combination of fun, learning, and networking, along with some powerful and moving events that motivate and inspire attendees to reach farther than they ever thought possible.

Before every event, I take time to set my intentions and get really clear on my goals for the event. This year, for the eWomenNetwork Conference, my intentions were focused solely on connecting with people – the right people – and if I could do that the business stuff would just figure itself out.

My strategy totally worked…

I met up with amazing women like Lisa Larter, Mari Smith, and Kim Duke. I was able to hang out with clients from across the United States, and my Facebook friends and Twitter followers came out in full force and I got to connect face to face with several of them at the event!

Exactly who I needed to meet and who needed to meet me ended up sitting at my table in the main ballroom, or next to me in a breakout session – it’s amazing how that happens…

I wanted access though to some of the VIP people at the event and saw my opportunity in an impromptu Foundation fundraising opportunity. The top six bidders who participated got to have dinner in Wolfgang Puck’s 560 Restaurant high above Dallas with the eWomenNetwork Founders Sandra Yancey and Kym Yancey, Debbie Meyer of HSN and Debbie Meyer Green Bags, and entertainment attorney Barbara Rubin.

At first I wasn’t going to bid. I thought, “No way. I probably wouldn’t even get top six even if I did… so why try.” So I put it out of my mind and went to a breakout session. As I sat in the breakout session, I kept thinking about the dinner. I really wanted to go, but I kept thinking, “there’s no way I’d win, so why try?”

But then I stopped myself. I immediately recognized self-sabotage in my own mindset. That wasn’t the thoughts of someone playing big. Is that really what I was thinking and how I wanted to be? NO WAY!

So I grabbed my phone (apologies to the speaker), went to the eWomenNetwork website, filled out the online form, and submitted a bid for dinner. At first I felt great. I took action to make something happen. I squashed the negative inner chatter and I bid on dinner.

But as I sat there, I began to think about my bid. I’ll be honest, it was a safe bid. I took the action, but I really didn’t put it out there big time. I wasn’t really paying attention to the speaker at this point (again sorry) and I started to wonder and ask myself, “What kind of message am I sending the universe with that bid?”

So I decided to play bigger. I picked up my phone again and I BID AGAIN! This time I doubled my bid. As soon as I pressed submit, I got this knot in my stomach and my breath sort of caught in my throat… partly because I didn’t discuss this with my business partner first – which we have an agreement to do – and partly because at that point I actually had a chance at winning!

Guess what? I WON! I was one of the top six highest bidders!

The dinner was delicious and the other five ladies who went with me were smart and dynamic, and I got go chat it up about business, websites, sales, kids, and speaking with all four VIPs and the other ladies. For me bidding was about gaining access – access to great minds, access to an unforgettable experience, and access to ask for what I needed help with.

And you know what?

• To get that access, all I had to do was take action.
• To get the insights and help I needed, all I had to do was ask.

HOMEWORK FOR THIS WEEK:
I want you to make a list of everything you want to happen for you in this last half of the year and another listing everything you need help with. Review your lists and 1) pick one item on each list to take action on, then 2) identify the person or people you need to ask for help and make the ask!

Trust me, it’s easier than you think!