Forever doomed by nerves and dead plants?

My life feels like one big research assignment. I am currently conducting two experiments (insert mad scientist laugh here just because it’s fun).
The first is related to my freelance writing business and it’s something I’m deathly afraid of – networking. I believe I’m flat-out no good at it. My tragedy is two-fold. In my constant state of nervousness when speaking with a stranger, I tend to keep the conversation one-sided – meaning all about them – that I never give them the opportunity to inquire more about me. Or I just never find the right moment to tell them what I do except to say “I’m a freelance writer,” which usually elicits an “Oh” response and nothing more. And, the final scenario, which entails exchanging business cards with everyone I come in contact with but making no real connection with any of them. In the end, I wind up frustrated, tired and soaked (yuck!).

The problem is, I do have a business and I want and need to be promoting my abilities, but when I hear networking event I immediately shy away. So, I’m working on it, hence experiment number one where I’ll make an effort to get out there and then share my experiences, the good, the bad and the downright embarrassing, so others may learn from my mistakes and (hopefully!) share in my successes.

The second experiment is something I’ve been contemplating for a while now – starting a vegetable garden. You must understand, I have absolutely no green thumb. I’m embarrassed to admit, but I even killed a cactus once obviously from just plain neglect. My husband is a certified and well-educated horticulturist who finds humor in my attempts to keep all-things-green alive. While he’s spouting off long Latin names, I can only stare back in utter confusion, my brain still trying to wrap itself around the difference between an annual and a perennial. So, I’m working on this, too.

Fingers crossed … maybe by year’s end I’ll be a networking hound and a plant extraordinaire! I’m an optimist, can you tell?