I've been a wallflower for as long as I can remember.
In school, I was the goody-two-shoes who had no idea how to win friends and influence people. At work, I shunned the limelight and made self-deprecating comments every time someone praised me.
After joining BNI, I am learning the importance of marketing myself. I am learning that everyone is in sales, whether that is their job description or not. If I do not do a good job of impressing on you that I am professional, competent and that my goods or services are priced competitively, how will I persuade you to buy from me?
To my surprise and that of my members, I am bringing in visitors to my chapter meetings almost weekly. While none has signed up (one did, but then a huge project came along, and, well, business called), it thrills me no end that people actually come because I asked.
In my quest to bring new faces into the meetings, I have gone so far as to give out our chapter business cards to strangers, and to recommend the services of my associates when the subject of a business need comes up (the latest being at Career Fair, where I purposefully met a land banker, an entrepreneur-to-be from abroad, and a publisher).
It's an incredible feeling when you do something you never thought you could. I like the sense that I'm giving my inner self a good stretch each time an opportunity comes up to do something different and bold and even foolish.
Yup - the wallflower is finding the sun, and loving the feel of its warmth on her face. :)
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