The holiday party and reception invitations are starting to arrive at your office and in your e-mail inbox. The excitement of opening and accepting the invitations can soon be followed by doubt and fear. My holiday wish is for everyone to enjoy the holiday parties and receptions. Here are a few tips to reduce the self-doubt and boost your confidence.
- Keep up the positive self-talk: Remember that someone put your name on the invitation list, they have invited you to their holiday party or reception. You belong at this event. Don’t let self-doubt keep you from enjoying this event. Stay positive, smile, and go first when introducing yourself to others.
- Ask others to help make introductions: If you only know a few individuals at an event, ask them to help make introductions. Sometimes, it is easier to have someone make an introduction because they will get the conversation off to a great start. Be ready to be an active participant in the conversation. Be curious and ask open-ended questions to get to know the other person. Remember that this should be a conversation, so give the other person a chance to respond and ask you some questions. The goal is to make a connection and meet someone new.
- Be ready to answer the question, “What do you do?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions, so be ready with your answer. Your response should be conversational, short as in 30 seconds or less, and intriguing so that the other person wants to learn more about you and your organization.Think about what you enjoy about your role or organization and incorporate this into your response.
The end of the year is a great opportunity for us to celebrate friendships and show gratitude to others. Keep up the positive self-talk, ask others to help make introductions, and have a plan on how to respond to the frequently asked questions. Enjoy the holiday season!