What’s the worst that can happen?

(The following questions also work- Why not? What do I have to lose? What’s the worst case scenario? Why wouldn’t I? )

You get the picture.

Now, if you are in the Desperate & Frenetic stage of your job seeking journey, you might be disappointed by the simplicity of this question. Perhaps you were hoping for a magical, unforeseen question that in a blink of an eye, lands you multiple job offers.

Well, hate to pop your bubble but that does not exist.

Instead, I present to you a question that is now meshed synchronously with any decision that’s got me hesitating, even for just a second. It’s helped me overcome that millisecond of doubt and opened up wondrous new opportunities and connections.

What’s the worst that can happen? 

Why Networking Is Like Dating

When I think of cold networking, I can’t help but think of dates. Yeah, dates. You know…that thing when typically, the guy swallows his insecurities and doubts and decides to call (or I guess text, in relation to today’s modern context) the gal about taking her to out to dinner.

There’s usually a pause. A moment of hesitation. The What-If’s and excuses spring up like wildflowers in the summer and disastrous dates-gone-bad movie scenes begin to appear in your head. Your hand might even begin to sweat (if it hasn’t already been) and that aluminum phone you were holding? It’s now a brick. And it’s heavy.

And yes, perhaps this is all a bit dramatic. But the reality of it is that many people, to some degree can relate to this scenario when it comes to taking the first step.

I’ve been there. I remember when I began cold emailing and Linkedin messaging influencers in the social media space back in college. I didn’t know what I was doing and on one too many occasions, got cold feet and chickened out when it came to actually scheduling a time to talk. Who am I to intrude on these big fishes? I’m just an inexperienced, valueless college kid. I got nothing to contribute. I shouldn’t bother them.

It’s interesting how the mind builds upon excuses. How it connects like puzzles –  one string of thought latches to another until it becomes an overwhelmingly persuasive force that affects your actions (or lack of it).

Now imagine how potentially different things could’ve played out if only I had put on a different pair of glasses.

If I had just asked myself, “Hey, what’s the worst that is going to happen?” And if I actually took the time to answer that question, I would have realized that Woah, it’s really not that bad!

Sure, I might get into an awkward and uncomfortable conversation or maybe I even end up clumsily spill a steaming cup of coffee onto my white collared shirt. But again, do those scenarios accurately measure up how bad you initially portrayed it to be? Most likely not.

I think when we hesitate and stop ourselves short, we do so because of how unknown certain scenarios might play out. It’s cloudy, intangible, and hard to visualize beyond a certain point. But when we’re able to clearly define and paint out what the very worst of that scenario is, we’re able to move forward in confidence.

How I Changed My Mindset To Open Up More Doors

Fast forward to today.

It’s been almost a year at Google where I’ve successfully grabbed 25 one-on-one’s with other Googlers across all different departments to learn more about their stories, roles, and just any general advice that they are willing to share. In the past week alone, I’ve sat down with Linkedin recruiters and picked their brains about a position I was applying for. In the following weeks, I will be conducting Interviews #16, 17,and 18 with young entrepreneurs from around the world for my podcast.

And still, each time before I send out an introductory email, I feel the slightest pull of hesitation. The same what if questions filter into my head, the same voices of insecurities whisper into my ear.  But now, that pull is immediately followed by the same question and reflection of, “Hey, what’s the worst that can happen from meeting with XYZ?”

What Are You Waiting For?

Now, this blog post isn’t to tell you how to correctly network your way to a job. Everyone’s got their own tactics and what not, but what I do believe in is the mindset that’s needed to successfully navigate your way there. And if you can gradually create a new habit of thinking in the mindset of, Why-nots, & Worst Case Scenarios, I can guarantee that you’ll be that much quicker to becoming Company _____’s next amazing employee.

So what are you waiting for? Who do you need to get in touch with to get you closer to your goals? What’s stopping you from setting sending out more applications, grabbing coffee with managers, asking your Director out to lunch?

Change your mindset, change your life.

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

Cheers,

Albert