Chris GuillebeauLately, I’ve been having a bit of fun contacting people I look up to. In the last year, I’ve contacted Tara Gentile, Chris Guillebeau, Marianne Elliot, Alexandra Franzen, and Jono from the Wake Up project. Plenty of other fantastic people too, but these were the “big” ones who I’d been eyeing for a while.

I’m not approaching people with any plan, really, apart from the possibility that they may remember my name should we interact again. In some cases, I’ve started working with them, like with Marianne Elliot on Off the Mat, into the World. But that isn’t really the plan.

Why contact strangers

I contacted these people because it gives me a thrill. I admire their work. I want to reach out and say “hey!” There’s another side to this too – it’s not easy – which feeds the thrill I get when I get over myself and call them.

It’s not what you know …

We’ve all heard “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and I’ve definitely experienced this in Yoga Reach. I’ve met people who have turned into big clients through attending a wedding, after having a coffee with an old family friend, and even through my yoga teacher training course.

People prefer to do business with people that they’ve met, and like. No psychology degree required to appreciate this.

So how do you meet people?

Making the first move

One of the first clients I had was the local yoga studio in Glebe – Life & Balance Centre. I was living in Glebe at the time, so I did what all new business people (should) do – I picked up the phone and introduced myself.

Since that fortuitous day, I’ve made it a point to cold call and introduce myself to people.

Coming up against your resistance

Before you start coming up with ten thousand reasons why I can do this and you cannot or should not, stop. Breathe. Notice if you feel tense.

Now think about your best mate. Were you born knowing them? Chances are, unlikely. You may well have gone up to them at school and said “I’m six. Are you six? Let’s be friends.” And so it goes.

Get over yourself

It is often excruciating to pick up the phone and introduce myself to strangers. But I do it because I know it’s good for me. Even if it’s just a conversation, it’s a little victory over my ego that has fed me an elaborate story (or three) as to why I shouldn’t talk to so-and-so.

Every year, before the first of the face-to-face courses, I have to stop myself throwing up. I sit and slowly force myself to eat breakfast. I try not to hurl, or cry, or both. I’m feeling pretty tense.

But, from the moment I step in front of everybody and start talking, I’ve gotten over myself and I’m having a really good time. It seems to work in proportion to how big a hurdle I perceive it to be – the more fear, the most self-satisfaction.

Don’t let your ego feed you stories. Get over yourself and pick up the phone.