Tips for networking and motivation

Hetal Shah says..

Joy there are a number of things you can do. Seek out and talk to journalists and find out as much as you can about the job. Offer to work for free for a while so that could get you some exposure and contacts. Maybe there are courses for journalism that you could go to meet journalists or to find out more.

Networking also includes reading about journalists – who are the ones you admire? Can you research and read about them – bring the best into your life? Make a list of all the people you know and then tell them of your plans. One of them may know a journalist.  Talk to everybody as you never know who someone may know.

To stay motivated you need to identify a specific goal. Write it down and read it everyday. Visualize what it will feel like when you reach your goal. Focus on it at all times. You need to create belief in yourself that you will meet your goals. Fiona's book  "Be Your Own Life Coach" will really help you create the belief. The online course Get Motivated is also something I  really recommend.

One final tip is to break your goal down into smaller goals  - weekly or monthly goals that you can achieve and which will give you confidence that you are making progress.

Other tips:

• keep taking action
• stay positive at all times
• keep learning – you can never stop learning
• Enjoy the journey – it will be an exciting road to your goal.

Best of luck!