How to connect with purpose: networking, personal brand and becoming your own hero

 In this episode of Sparks by Ignium, our podcast created to help you scale your business with purpose, Phil Rose talks to author, mindfulness expert and Networking Queen, Helen Nicholson. If the thought of networking finds you heading for the nearest exit, you’ll be surprised to hear that introverts have a distinct advantage over extroverts when it comes to building connections that last.   The pair take a trip through the neuroscience behind the concept of ‘social battery’ and what extroverts can learn from their introverted counterparts.   In this idea-packed episode, discover:   ·       The simple secrets of building a powerful network and the surprising role of dopamine in whether you’ll enjoy a busy room. ·       The deep, psychological reason why your camera should be on during an online meeting. ·       Understand the three steps of the branding pyramid: if you want strength at the top, you need a solid foundation at the base. ·       The inextricable link between personal brand and purpose: why having clarity about one will give you focus on the other. ·       Why your strengths say more about you than your weaknesses? Your brain may be playing tricks on you. ·       The fool-proof pathway to finding your purpose and why patience, play and self-care help clear the way. ·       What happens when the notion ‘no one is coming to rescue you’ no longer induces fear but inspires change and a search for new opportunities.  ·       Why fifty-five is the perfect age to learn how to sing, dance and crochet.   Key nuggets to listen out for:   ‘I believe personal branding is actually deeply spiritual: it's you uncovering your purpose. It's you uncovering what you were put on this planet to do… Then you communicate that value through your network.’   ‘Often, to have jobs that you don't like prior to 35 is actually very powerful because that ‘not liking something’ gives you clarity about what you do like.’   ‘We've got to realise that we are the ones we've been waiting for. And there's an element of excitement and there's an element of scariness around that.’   👉 Key question: Helen uses the phrase ‘no one is coming to rescue you’ as a guiding mantra for taking responsibility for your life. For the next week, take time to notice the areas in your life where you ARE NOT taking responsibility. Where are you blaming others for your current position when you should be taking charge? Where can working with a coach help you?”   🎧 We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we have recording it. What would you like us to talk about? Drop us a line and let us know. And remember to like and subscribe to hear more.   ♻️ Feel good about sharing this podcast with someone who’ll find it helpful; that would mean so much to us and them.   Texts mentioned:   Helen Nicholson – Networking for Introverts also on Spotify Helen Nicholson – Mindfulness: How to Stay Sane in an Insane World Joe Dispenza – Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself Matthew Walker – Why We Sleep   More about Helen   Find Helen Nicholson at:   Website: https://helen-nicholson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/networkwithhelen/    Key Quotes   ‘One of the best pieces of advice I got, which I've since paid forward to other people, is follow your envy.’   ‘You can’t be brave if you’re not well.’   ‘We only light people up when we’re on fire ourselves.’   ‘If you don't have clarity about your purpose or your personal brand, then other people impose their clarity on you.’   Learn More: §  Visit the Ignium website §  Subscribe for more exclusive content in the Ignium Spark Tank here §  Listen to the show here   Keywords in this episode:  Purpose-driven networking   Personal branding   Introverts vs extroverts in networking   Social battery   Neuroscience of connections   Building a powerful network   Dopamine and social interactions   Online meetings and camera use   Branding pyramid   Strengths and weaknesses   Finding your purpose   Self-care and purpose   Taking responsibility for your life   Spiritual personal branding   Life clarity after 35   Self-responsibility and coaching   Growth and transformation   Helen Nicholson interview   Sparks by Ignium podcast   Mindfulness in networking