Article contributed by Donna Fisher.
Networking happens when two or more people come together and contribute in some way to the fulfillment of a goal or need. Ideally, your network not only helps you accomplish your goals, but also enhances, encourages and influences you to even greater accomplishments than you may have initially dared to dream. A network committed to a greater good will expand your experience of life by having your fulfill on your dreams more quickly, more easily, more effectively, and/or in a larger scope than was even originally imagined.
If you only use your network to bring in business for yourself, you are only using a fraction of the potential value of your network. Networking from the heart includes a commitment to not only oneself and one’s business; there is also great pleasure and pride in being a source for greater good in the world. When you make a commitment to be a resource for good in the world, you become more aware of opportunities for yourself and others – your awareness increases.
- Think about how to share your network with others.
- In every interaction do a mental search for a contact or piece of information that you can offer that would be valuable for the person.
- Identify a cause that is near and dear to your heart and network in some way to support this cause.
- Stay aware of the value of connecting – connection creates feelings of goodwill, service, and self-esteem which leads to positive supportive behaviors. (Feeling disconnected leads to feelings and behaviors that are destructive)
- Focus on building a network not just for you, but because you can be of greater service to others when you have a vast, powerful network.
2 comments
Thanks Donna,
I did not appreciate the value of my networks until ten years ago when I moved to NZ – leaving my professional networks behind in the UK. I was seeking to do the same job in NZ that I had been doing in the UK for the previous 15 years – however without a network everything became that much harder. It was my seeking to rebuild my networks as quickly as I could that led to the opportunity to start BNI. 🙂
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Fantastic post. I too realized the value of a network when I immgrated to New Zealand. People are the best resource to focus on in life and a network indeed is the only way you get to give and receive love, be part of a community and create a feeling of belonging.
And besides that, a network is a very practical resource too.
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