Not What you Know

You've probably heard this one before, but in life and especially in business it is often not so much what you know, than who you know. During my first month of the 50c challenge this sentiment has become really apparent to me. So many of my deals were made possible through my network of contacts. Now you need to understand one thing, I have an extremely small business network. Still the people I know and have come to know via other people have been instrumental in the deals I were able to complete. What I am thinking at the moment is that even when you are starting out with nothing it is of the utmost importance that you use every opportunity available to you to build your network.

Another thing I found really interesting is that in most cases the people in my personal network, and extended network, did not become part of the network because I had some plan for them. The people in the network became part of my network through interaction and simply adding value to each others lives. I do not condone running out pushing business cards into peoples' hand at every opportunity, as I suspect this will have the opposite effect. What I suggest you do is, where ever your life takes you, take some time to invest in the people around you. Be of service where ever you can, and do not begrudge giving somebody the leg up. Cultivate a friendly attitude and a willingness to help others get ahead in life. The bonds you make and the seeds you sow can not but return to you much larger than your initial investment.

Just a small word of warning. If you help people to get something from them somewhere in the future, you will be disappointed. People tend to realize that your intentions are false, and thus they will not trust you. That is why you need to cultivate a character of helping. The second warning, and just as important as the first is not to help people too your own detriment. Some people want to be liked or loved so much that they will harm themselves and their interests in order to help someone else. Balance is the key. The selfish person cannot reach his true potential, nut the flip side is also true, if you give out of weakness you will take away your own ability to be successful.

Help people be better and have more, but not in such a way that you will need to be helped. It's in the Bible.