I was sitting out for dinner with the family the other night. We’d had a great day, everyone was relaxed, the food had just arrived, and one of the kids asked me a question.
“So… do you ever switch it off?”
I laughed.
“Switch what off?”
“The networking.”
It’s a fair question. A lot of people assume that because I teach Business Development and Referral Marketing, I’m always working. That every conversation is a sales conversation.
The truth is, I don’t see it that way at all.
When I’m on holiday, I’m on holiday.
My family gets my attention. We explore, we eat too much, we laugh, we make memories. That’s what holidays are for.
But here’s what doesn’t stop.
I’m still curious about people.
If I’m waiting for a coffee and someone starts chatting, I’ll chat back.
If we’re sitting beside another family at dinner and we get talking, I’m genuinely interested in where they’re from, what they do and what brought them here.
If someone recommends a great restaurant, I’ll ask how they found it.
None of that is networking because I’m trying to get business.
It’s simply being interested in people.
Ironically, that’s exactly how the best business relationships begin.
Over the years I’ve met business owners at restaurants, airport lounges, walking tours, hotel pools, bike rides and once, while waiting for a ferry.
Some have become clients.
Some have introduced me to clients years later.
Some simply became friends.
None of those conversations started because I was looking for work.
They started because I enjoy meeting people.
I think this is where many people make networking far harder than it needs to be.
They believe networking is something you schedule.
Tuesday morning. Breakfast meeting.
Wednesday afternoon. Business Development Meeting.
Thursday evening. Networking event.
They’re all valuable.
But relationship building isn’t confined to a diary.
It’s part of who you are.
You don’t suddenly become friendly between 7:00 and 9:00am every Wednesday and then stop for the rest of the week.
The habits that make someone good at networking are exactly the same habits that make someone enjoyable to spend time with.
Be curious.
Ask questions.
Listen.
Help where you can.
Stay in touch.
Those habits don’t disappear just because you’re wearing shorts instead of business suits.
So, do I stop networking when I’m on a family holiday?
Yes and no.
I absolutely stop working.
I stop trying to build business.
I stop thinking about sales.
But I never stop enjoying conversations with interesting people.
Because every person has a story.
Every conversation teaches you something.
And every now and then, without either of you expecting it, a genuine relationship begins.
I’ve learnt that opportunities have a funny way of finding people who simply enjoy getting to know others.
So next time you’re away with the family, don’t feel like you need to be “on.”
Just be yourself.
Enjoy the holiday.
Be present with the people you’re with.
And if you happen to meet someone interesting over dinner, have the conversation.
You never know where a genuine connection might lead.
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