You've "researched" it before. It's a bunch of people that pay a bunch of money to sit in a room together every week to try to get all those other bunch of people to give them business.....
WRONG! Well, wrong at least for our chapter. I can ONE THOUSAND PERCENT (yeah. it IS a lot of percents) say that THAT is not the reason we fake being morning people every Wednesday. The whole point of dragging ourselves out of bed, to meet with the same (AMAZING) group of people isn't just about showing up. It is about being PRESENT and ENGAGED. Well what the heck is the difference?! If I show up, I am present, right? Say you get invited to ... a party. When you JUST show up for it..This is how I picture it....
It's like ... everyone is sad.... they're all wearing black.... people feel uncomfortable talking.... no one REALLY wants to be there.... ok it's a funeral. Pretty much a funeral for your business and I can assure you this is NOT what gets me out of bed on Wednesdays. When you are PRESENT and engaged... it looks a little more like this...
You walk in the door... and WAY TOO MANY SMILING FACES ARE INSIDE THE ROOM. Yeah - it's intense. It's almost like you're somehow TOO welcome to be there...
People are GENUINELY happy to see you (even if they are a fake morning person like myself) They are excited to hear how you are doing... what's new in your life since the last time they saw you... if you're going to that crazy new social event that the event guy just came up with ... Sorry Brandon :) and what new things are happening for your business. Yes, there is a certain formality to the meeting. (We have to or else we have too much fun helping each other) Where we have a brief time to open up about our business. Share who might we might be able to help that week if that person were to use us, our services or products. Yes, we do "pass referrals" but not because we HAVE to. It is because we WANT to. When you engage with a group of stellar people like those in our chapter, you not only see what great professionals they are - but what amazing humans they are. Making it darn near impossible to not want to send everyone their way. My point? We come to build relationships. The fun, camaraderie and blessed business is just a side effect.