The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D

[...] When you network, do not think about your previous agenda nor your next agenda. Give attention fully to the person you are talking to. If you easily forget names, check out my article, Networking: Watch out why you forget names! I take public transports here in Singapore, and as a productivity freak, I normally plan something to do while traveling. That can be reading a book, listening to podcast, songs, or just relaxing myself and taking a short nap. Meeting a friend made me a bit unhappy as I have to accompany them talking and cancel my agenda. I am not comfortable with rejecting him/her, so what I was doing is half-heartedly converse with him/her. Consequently, I was unable to give full attention to him. A very common distraction I have encountered is my desire to get a seat inside the public transport. That prevents me in giving fully attention to my friend, as my eyes wandering around if only there are empty seats. That’s a possible distraction I’m talking about. What you should do? What I have learned is letting go. Letting go of my schedule and things I plan to do. And next, take this as a real opportunity to network, to listen and learn from him, as well as sharing about myself. If you do consider your agenda really important, and letting go is too costly for you, you better consider of leaving the networking event. You will not look as if you are not enjoying the event while you are there. Let them know you have something to do and have to leave earlier. That’s normal and even suggested by Marti Olsen in her book, the Introvert Advantage. [...]