Meaningful Connections with a Virtual Twist: The Diet Coke Edition

Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!  

Don't put off your potential — try coaching and book a complimentary Coaching Session today! #leadership #personaldevelopment #learning

💡Aha! Moment

 Once upon a time, networking felt like a dreaded chore to me. You know the scene - awkward social events, rehearsed elevator pitches, and that whole "who you know" game that just felt... icky. I was convinced networking was just a fancy word for people trading favors and business cards.

Then came my lightbulb moment - in the form of a Virtual Diet Coke. 🥤

A Fresh Take on Networking

Let's be real - traditional networking in Corporate America can be the worst. Between those stuffy industry mixers and the dreaded "let's grab coffee sometime" that never happens, it all starts to feel pretty fake. I was over it.

So I flipped the script. Instead of those forced networking events, I started having casual video chats - Virtual Diet Cokes, as I like to call them. No agenda, no pressure to "network," just real conversations over our favorite drinks (Diet Coke for me, obviously!).

Three Questions That Change Everything

Here's my secret sauce - three questions that turn an ordinary chat into something special:

1.   "What lights you up about your work?" Forget the boring "what do you do?" small talk. This question gets to the good stuff - what actually makes someone's eyes light up when they talk about their work.

2.   "What's your biggest challenge right now?" This is where it gets real. When you open up about challenges, the whole conversation shifts from surface-level chat to actual connection.

3.   "How can I support you?" Plot twist - instead of thinking about what I can get, I focus on what I can give. It's amazing how many doors open when you lead with genuine support.

The Cool Part? It Actually Works

I've had 129 Virtual Diet Cokes in 2024 alone, and honestly? They've become the best part of my work week. These chats have transformed how both the hotel sourcing work I do with HelmsBriscoe and its' totally changed my coaching practice. Not because I'm trying to "network," but because I'm actually connecting with people.

The best part? Every conversation reminds me that real networking isn't about collecting contacts - it's about building relationships that matter.

Want to Give It a Try?

If you're tired of traditional networking (and who isn't?), let's shake things up. Grab your favorite drink, hop on a video call with me, and let's have a real conversation about what makes you tick, what challenges you're facing, and how we might help each other out.

Because sometimes the best connections start with something as simple as: "Hey, want to grab a Virtual Diet Coke?"

📅 Schedule yours here: Virtual Diet Coke

Here's to making networking in 2025!

1️⃣One Thing I...

🏫 Learned - This week I discovered the Success Champion Network, and wow - talk about a breath of fresh air in the business world! Instead of the usual networking stuff, they're all about real connections and actual collaboration (they even have something called the Badass Business Summit!). Their Champions Code really speaks to me - it's all about being genuine while growing together. If you are interested, let me know and I'll invite you to a session!

📖 Read - I've been following MrBeast's journey from YouTube sensation to Prime Video producer, and his upcoming show "Beast Games" feels like a game-changer. Picture this: 1,000 contestants in blue tracksuits competing through wild challenges with monster trucks and pirate ships for a $5 million prize. While there's been some controversy about filming conditions, one thing's clear - MrBeast is redefining what's possible in entertainment, and I'm here for it. Can't wait to see how this reshapes the landscape of competitive shows! Check out the article here.

👀 Watched - You know those moments that unexpectedly hit you right in the feels? McDonald's "Inner Child" commercial, from years ago in the UK, did exactly that for me. It follows a teenager rediscovering his Christmas spirit, and honestly? It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes we need to let our inner child take the wheel. Between the perfect music and the way it captures that magical holiday reconnection - this one's going into my favorites collection.

✔️ Accomplished - This week brought some exciting wins that I just have to share! Wrapped up some major event contracts I'd been working on forever, welcomed some amazing new clients, and even made progress on my book (chapter by chapter, we're getting there!). Sometimes it's the mix of big and small victories that really makes a week shine. ✨

🤔Insight for the Week

 Gratitude is both a gift and an opportunity. - Unknown

❓Ask Kristen

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. This one came from the state of Minnesota!

Q: What did your Apple Music replay say?

A: Well, let me share the musical journey my ears have been on this year!

The numbers tell quite a story: 14,353 minutes of music (down from 2023, due to podcast listening!), featuring 876 artists across every mood and moment. And speaking of moments, I had a few 14-day listening streaks!

The star of my personal concert? Taylor Swift absolutely dominated my playlist with 4,204 minutes of fearless listening! Pink came in strong with 694 minutes of empowering anthems, while Ed Sheeran, SIX (the musical), and Ben Platt rounded out my top artists.

My most-played song was Jake Scott's "Otherwise" with 52 plays - it became my daily dose of inspiration! Taylor Swift's "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart" (48 plays) and "The Man" (40 plays) weren't far behind. As for albums, The Tortured Poets Department led the way, with "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Lover" completing my top three.

Genre-wise, I kept it diverse: Pop took the lead, followed by Country, Alternative, Soundtrack, and Singer/Songwriter. Each genre brought its own flavor to my days - whether I was connecting with clients, planning events for HelmsBriscoe, or diving into coaching sessions.

I'd love to hear what's been playing in your world! Share your Apple Music Replay highlights with me - there's nothing better than discovering new music through friends.

I'd love to hear from you! If you have a question or topic you'd like to see covered in a future edition, comment below or DM me!