It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
In today’s business world, who you are connected to is more important than anything else. Young professionals fresh out of college or grad school have to build and strengthen their network in order to succeed.
I’ve interviewed several serial entrepreneurs, such as Wing Lam (Wahoo’s Fish Taco), Mark Verge (Westside Rentals) and Jason Nazar (DocStoc). The one thing they all have in common is their deep networks. By deep I mean quality (strength) and quantity (size). Sure, it may have taken them a long time to build their connection base, but in the long run, it will ensure their impact over time.
Imagine if your personal network was so grand, you’d always have a job…
Imagine having a “go-to” person in different industries…
Imagine your goal is to make others around you successful…
This doesn’t have to be a dream. It can be a reality. Start today with the people you know, then ask them to connect you with resources they know. Have your friends introduce you to their friends. It’s as simple as that.
In Keith Ferrazzi’s book, Never Eat Alone, he talks about creating a
“Relationship Action Plan.” Here’s a summary of his idea:
1) Develop Goals to Fulfill your Mission
Make sure there’s a purpose to the goals you set. “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
2) Connect your Goals to People
Identify the people who can help you get there.
3) Strategize the Best Way to Reach People
Reach out to people who can make a difference in your life and the lives of others.
Building relationships should be more important to your goal, than the goal itself. Nowadays a business plan is useless because time moves too fast. Once you’ve established one, it becomes irrelevant. Make your goal to build relationships.
Why? Because your career depends on it.
Who has helped you advance in your career? How did they help you?
Category: leadership development
Where Adversity Happens
Have you been watching the NBA playoffs? The remaining teams are the most versatile and have made the best adjustments so far.
In life it’s no different…
Everyone deals with adversity, some greater than others. It’s how you respond to it that determines how far you will go in life.
When things don’t go your way, you have a choice: play the victim or play the victor. You don’t always choose what happens to you, but you always choose how you respond to it.
During the NBA playoffs, the mentally strongest teams make it the furthest. Coaches and players have to make adjustments or their teams lose. Despite individual talent, it’s the teams that get knocked down, but get back up fighting who prevail.
Adversity is a test of your true character. What’s inside comes out in the heat of the moment. Life won’t get easier, but how you deal with it should. A true sign of maturity is effectively managing your emotions.
When things aren’t going your way, how do you deal with adversity?
Are you fishing on the right side of the boat?
One night I dreamt I was fishing on a boat – working hard, but catching nothing. Someone told me, “Drop your nets on the other side.” Perplexed for a moment, I did it and shortly after my nets were so full of fish, I needed help to reel in the catch.
I made a connection to my career…
I believe I’m in the right profession, but what if I’m selling to the wrong crowd?
Being an entrepreneur is an up and down journey. I’ve learned so much about perseverance, clarity and being a continual learner. I can’t do this alone and I’m finding out it’s more about who you’re connected to, rather than how much you know.
Sure, I have doubts when times are dry, but I bounce back when I envision what it can be.
I’m convinced I’m in the right profession based on my passion and commitment level. I’m most fulfilled when sitting with a client, listening to their story and trying to help them reach their goals. I know what I do provides value, but I haven’t found the consistency I’m looking for yet.
As I reflect and strategize, I know that “great catch” isn’t far off…
For more context on this story, click here
What’s your journey? Please share your comments.
What Poker Can Teach Us About Business
In Tony Hsieh’s book “Delivering Happiness“, he makes parallels between poker and business. Listen to what the Zappos CEO learned from playing the game:
1) Evaluate Market Opportunities
Where there are a lot of competitors, it’s much harder to win. Choosing to play at the right “table” may be the difference between winning and losing.
2) Finances
Are you prepared for the worst case scenario? If you want to make a long-term impact it will take time and sacrifice.
3) Strategy
Only play games you understand. Stick to your principles, be flexible and stay patient. Players with the most stamina and focus usually win. Differentiate yourself from the others.
4) Continual Learning
Educate yourself. Read books. Learn from others who have done it before. Surround yourself with talented players. Ask for advice.
5) Culture
Love the game you play. Be nice and make friends – it’s a small community. Share what you’ve learned with others. Look for opportunities beyond what you’re doing now. Have fun – it’s more enjoyable that way.
Interested in starting your own business? Find what you’re passionate about and committed to. Remember, make logical, mathematical decisions, not emotional ones.
Partner with Coach Scott to identify your strengths, accomplish goals faster & boost your confidence! E-mail Scott to start Growing Forward today!
How to Follow-Up
How do you stay ahead in this vastly interconnected world? Make sure you effectively follow-up! Here are three tips to help you pursue contacts more efficiently:
1) Keep your Word
If you say you’re going to contact someone, do it! Don’t use words lightly. Say what you intend to do and follow-through with action. Your word shapes your reputation.
2) Pursue Respectfully
When you propose an idea and are told “no”, it could mean “not right now” or “revise it.” Don’t take rejection personally. Perseverance is key. The next time you are turned away, ask if you can follow-up at a later date.
3) Track your Steps
No matter how great your memory is, you need a tracking system. I track when and how I interact with each of my contacts in an excel document. This reminds me who I need to follow-up with and when. Create your own tracking system so you can follow-up effectively.
Follow-up is an essential skill. It multiplies your chances to succeed! Strive to be known as: tenacious, a go-getter and persevering!
Want to become more effective at “follow-up?
Partner with Coach Scott to identify your strengths, accomplish goals faster & boost your confidence!
E-mail Scott to start Growing Forward today!
Musical Careers
What should you be looking for when it comes to finding the right career “fit”? Here are three suggestions for what to look for in a career:
1) Purpose
We all want to be part of a cause greater than ourselves. Identify a company’s mission statement. See if they are actively living it. Commit to an organization that is making a difference in the world.
2) Growth Opportunities
We all want to get better at what we do. Ask your employer what opportunities will there be to advance in the near future? Most people leave their job because they are bored. When it’s not a challenge anymore, it’s time to move on.
3) Autonomy
Look for companies that empower their workers. Autonomy is the freedom to accomplish goals by whatever means (style) is the most efficient for you. Autonomy is rooted in trust.
Does your current job possess these three traits? If not, it won’t be long before you start looking elsewhere!
Ready to find the right career for you?
Partner with Coach Scott to identify your strengths, accomplish goals faster & boost your confidence!
E-mail Scott to start Growing Forward today!
Take a Hike
This past weekend my wife and I went on a 7.5 mile hike. During our journey, I realized three takeaways that could apply to career development:
Mindset
Before we left, we put on our hiking shoes, comfortable clothes and packed some snacks and water. I knew it was going to be more challenging than other hikes because our previous ones were only 3 miles. Knowing we had a greater destination in mind, it was key to mentally prepare for the challenge.
Partnership
At different points we wanted to stop, but the other person provided encouragement to keep going. If I took this journey alone, it would be easier to quit, but we were able to rely on each other when it got tough and the accountability helped us persevere.
Accomplishment
Once we reached the top, we rested and enjoyed the view from above. There’s nothing better than feeling you’ve climbed a mountain (literally). Even when we were tired, our drive for achievement took us to the top. We looked back on climb and agreed it was worth it.
(even with the soreness that followed)
Taking a hike is very similar to career development. First, you have to prepare your mind for the challenge. Next, create a support system for accountability when times get tough. Lastly, don’t stop until you’ve reached your goal.
Need help taking that first step?
Partner with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!
Go To Your Happy Place
This isn’t a Happy Gilmore reference, but notes from a talk by Happiness Guru and Harvard Professor, Shawn Achor. Who knew Happiness was the precursor to success?
Social Support
In order to be successful you need a network of family and friends to support you during challenges – because you WILL fail.
Facebook, Twitter & Linked-In are popular because of your innate desire to connect.
Take it a step further and build/strengthen
your face-to-face connections.
Nothing GREAT is accomplished alone and people open doors that we can’t.
Be a Catalyst
Happiness starts with you.
How can you expect to spread happiness if you aren’t happy yourself?
The positive changes you make create a “ripple effect” that creates cultural change
(ex. grassroots movements).
Smiles are contagious, just try it!
Cope with Hope
Bad things happen to everyone, but it’s how you respond that reveals your true character.
Learn to control your “self-talk.”
No one is harder on yourself than YOU!
Shawn Achor suggests creating a gratitude journal by writing 3 things you are thankful for daily. If you do this for 21 days in a row it becomes a life habit!
Positive Psychology links mindset to performance.
We choose how we view the world.
Companies such as Google, Zappos and Disney create fun environments where employees are engaged at work.
Social support, being a catalyst and improving your ability to cope are three ways to be more happy and productive!
Are YOU ready to make Positive Changes?
Partner with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!
Up In The Air
In this movie, George Clooney was hired to let people go. During our recession, it makes us ponder: What’s important? What should I expect? Let’s take a look at some lessons we can learn from this picture:
1) What’s in your Backpack? This was an analogy about what we carry with us. Life can be heavy and sometimes we need to discard the “junk.” Figure out what’s important to you, focus on those things, then dump the rest.
2) Make Connections. We live in a technologically connected, socially disconnected world. For example, we rob ourselves of intimacy by texting and talking on our cell phones during conversations with people in front of us! Connections are quality relationships. They take time and involve risk.
3) Overcome Obstacles. This week I’ve talked to many friends and colleagues who are much wiser and more experienced than I am. They all agree the uncertainty of our economy is scary. Most of us need to be focusing on Plan B in order to survive. It’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with obstacles – the question is, “How will you proceed forward?”
Up In The Air is about dealing with uncertainty. We need to unload some baggage, ask for the support of others and face reality. Take some time to prioritize your life and recruit a listening ear to help you cope and move forward.
Need a Professional Accountability Partner? What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!
Aftertaste
Now that you’ve opened your presents and overeaten, let’s take a moment to re-cap this year. What stood out to you? What would you have done differently? What’s in store for 2010? As you digest, try pondering these questions:
1) What left an Impression?
What did you remember? Usually the good and bad stand out, while everything in the middle is forgotten. What were your highlights? Setbacks? What was the most memorable thing that happened to you in 2009?
2) What did you Learn?
Even with the challenges of the past year, we can always look at it as an opportunity to grow. What can you capitalize on to make 2010 that much better? We get better when we make the choice to grow forward, no matter what the circumstances may be.
3) What’s Next?
One thing I love about being an entrepreneur is that there is no finish line. Once you get complacent you’re dead meat. Take some time to sit down and write out your personal vision for 2010. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it (and put in the hard work!)
2009 was a challenging year for my business, but I continued to work hard, try new things and re-innovate myself. I’m optimistic that 2010 will be better, but there’s no guarantees. All I can do is promise to do my best and let God do the rest!
Only 3 days left to give the Gift of Coaching!
Until December 31st, we are offering 50% off of
Skype and Phone Coaching Sessions!
What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential!
Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!
Imagine how much more successful you can be with the help of a coach!
Be on the lookout for a NEW SITE next week!
Growing Forward 