Getting good at just about anything is usually just a matter of doing it more. This applies to just about everything we do in business.

If you want to be a better speaker… Speak more.
If you want to be a better writer… Write more.
If you want to be a better negotiator… Negotiate more.

I joined a Toastmasters club when I was living in California because I was so impressed by the people who I knew were toastmasters. They always came across as the most articulate well spoken people I knew. I joined Toastmasters because I wanted to learn their secret. Turns out it's very simple. The speak a lot! Every week, week after week, they would show up at these meetings to speak. No wonder they were so good. The very best were invariably those that had been showing up every week for years.

There's a lot of value in learning from those who've gone before you. By reading their secrets and tips, asking them for advice, etc. These are all important, but without actual application you won't be able to do it.

I remember reading a story about a pottery teacher who proved this very concept. He was teaching two different pottery classes. The first class he told that their entire grade would be based on 1 single piece of work. The second class was told that their grade would be based on the volume that they produced. At the end of the class the second class produced far superior work. Why? Because they spent their time making a lot of pottery. They made many mistakes, and learned from them. By doing more they had more expertise and were able to learn from experience the finer points of the craft. The first class failed miserably. Even though they'd spent time reading and learning about the finer points of the craft when it came time for them to do it they had no real world experience.

If you want to be a better networker… Network more.

Happy networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com