YOUR NETWORK DETERMINES YOUR NET WORTH
If your objective is to find a job, discover professional opportunities, move forward in your profession, or build a strong roster of associates—networking is the most appropriate strategy you should consider.
By definition, networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Networking will support your career and individual growth—improving your communication skillset, facilitating development in your career path, connecting you with potential supporters and allies, or consumers; plus, you will amass the necessary resources to evolve your professional maturity.
HAVE A CLEAR INTENTION
In the ‘art of networking,’ you must define what it is that you seek personally or professionally, first, to identify the sources/avenues that offer you the opportunity to inch closer to the people that can help you with whatever it is you set out to accomplish.
DON’T BE SHY. YOU CAN DO THIS
According to Melanie Joy Douglas’s explanation on Six Degrees of Separation, “Everyone wants to meet someone. As a general rule, there are never more than six people between you and the person you want to talk to. Networking is a way to access otherwise inaccessible people.”
Networking is about building allies for the betterment of your professional and personal growth. It is critical to position and surround yourself with potential supporters.
HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
In everything you set out to accomplish, know what you want, and spend your life going after it. Your uniqueness is your gift—it is to be used to motivate and inspire others. Sometimes, we have to self-reflect and re-energize—driven by our values and ethics.
EVEN INTROVERTS NEED PEOPLE
Whatever profession you desire, people will play a significant role in your life. How you treat people and how others see you is vital to making your career goals a reality.
As you begin to network, you will learn that word-of-mouth is more powerful than one thinks. Remember: respect is not given automatically— it is earned by way of giving of yourself. Get out of your shell a little, and you will find that building your network and net worth is much easier than you think.
IDENTIFYING YOUR WHY
Motivational speaker Eric Thomas said that “When you want to succeed … as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”
Finding your motivation and the passion for what you do professionally wish to accomplish will encourage your determination–and will inspire you to get out of your comfort zone.
Your “WHY” must be of high importance – children, finances, marriage, education, music are all examples of personal motivators.
REMOVE DISTRACTIONS AND BE SELECTIVE WHEN YOU CULTIVATE NEW RELATIONSHIPS
When you remove friends off your social media accounts, more than likely, it is because the friendship is no longer of value.
The same goes for interruptions in your life. Sometimes you have to get out of your own way. Also, the same way that you add and delete friends online, this process must take place offline. Each day, you must make time to work toward your goal – just as the air you breathe is automatic.
Understand that once you get to the point where your intended objectives become routine–that is when your vision comes to fruition; no one is accountable for your fulfillment or letdowns – you determine your success.
Remember that success does not happen instantaneously–unless you win the Mega Millions. If you find that your goals are not being met within a specific time frame, consider re-assessing them.
FACING FAILURE
Your success is not to be swept under the carpet – talk about it. But don’t hesitate to disclose your failures, too. Allow yourself to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Those that go through the difficulty are successful–for it is the challenging times that shapes you into greatness.
Failure and success are one and the same, for failure offers a chance for potential development and triumph. In the process of networking and establishing your allies, don’t fear disappointment, embrace it, be authentic, and people will act accordingly, and you’ll be satisfied with yourself.
Are you ready? Great! Good luck.
Please click over to Career Sherpa’s blog for 25+ ideas for where to network.
Shelton 
Watson is a knowledge seeker, mentor, and professional blogger. He holds a master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University. He offers an academic and career foundation with a focus on bettering the human condition, which adds a distinguishing insight into his creative, evidence-based, and inspiring articles.
