Now that summer is over, and even here in Pahrump, Nevada, it’s finally starting to cool off a tiny bit, calendars are starting to fill up with events beyond vacation and backyard barbeques. Social engagements, networking meetings, seminars, conventions…you name it, people are starting to gather together again for reasons other than pure joy and being laid-back together.

If you are psychic or highly sensitive, spending time among large numbers of strangers may be difficult for you. You may find yourself bombarded with other people’s energies, or you might find noisy atmospheres full of smoke or other smells exhausting. But you are still in a human body with human concerns (like making a living), so you need to show up to these events. So how do you make going to events worth your time and energy?

First, start with the intention that the gathering will energize you, rather than deplete you. This is very important, as you do not want to be setting yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy based on past history. For example, I used to attend events thinking “oh, another party, I hate parties, they always exhaust me, blah blah blah.” Sure enough, I usually didn’t have a good time and ended up feeling exhausted! Now I concentrate on thoughts like, “this is going to be a good meeting. I’ll connect with some people, learn some things, and get some new ideas. I’m going to look sharp and talk smart! If it gets dull I’ll leave, but I won’t leave without trying to contribute something positive.”

Second, it also helps a lot if you set a goal for yourself at the event. For example, if you are attending a professional networking event, you might set a goal like “I’m going to follow my gut feelings and start a conversation with someone who can help me with X.” Or, “I am going to make sure I compliment at least three people on their work.” The Mary Kay women I work with call this engaging in “warm chatter”! Or, “I am going to learn about at least four companies that I have never heard of.”

Doing these two things—deciding that the event will be positive and worth your time, and setting a specific goal for your own behavior at the event—will keep you focused and on task. You won’t be wasting your time because you are there for very good reasons. You’ll also know when you’ve achieved your goal, and then you can make a graceful exit while you are feeling good and have accomplished something.

And when you get home, take a shower or bath, and wash away all the random energies you may have picked up along the way. Contemplate your success and feel great!

Good luck!