Networking Is Simple, But Not Easy

Business networking is simple; it’s just not easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it and do it well… and people don’t! This is not a step-by-step process that you need to employ to network effectively. This is meant to get you to stop and think about all the articles, blogs, books, podcasts, and videos that you have read or seen in the past and are not yet following through in regard to what you learned. This blog is aimed at helping you to discover what you should be doing rather than focusing only on what you know.

I’ve done presentations around the world talking about how to apply networking to your everyday life. Occasionally someone comes up to me and says, “I’ve heard people talk about some of those things before.”  Hearing it for a year versus doing it for a year are completely different things. Success is about the “doing,” not just the “knowing.” 

I believe that ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice! The only thing more powerful is knowledge on fire.

It Looks Simple

There are so many things in life that look simple but are, in fact, not easy. For me, one of those is cooking. It always looks so simple. Some people can go into the kitchen and put a gourmet meal together in 30 to 40 minutes. Me? I get in the kitchen and burn water.

Small repairs around the house are another one of those things that look simple. Then I pick up a hammer and, well… it’s just not pretty. That’s when I’m reminded that I’m missing the “handyman gene.” It skipped a generation in my family. My dad could fix anything; he was incredibly capable with a toolbox. I am not. When I was 17 years old, he took me into the garage and solemnly said to me, “Son, you’d better go to college, because you’re never going to make a living with your hands!” That was good advice –  thanks, Dad.

Another one is the game of golf. Looks simple, right? I’m not talking about professional competition; I mean just going out and smacking the ball around some grass. It sure looks simple. I’ve learned however, that it is not easy.

There are so many things in our lives that look simple but are not easy. Business Networking is one of them. It’s a skill. It is a skill that takes commitment and effort to learn and apply consistently.

A Challenge for You

So, I have a challenge for you. Your assignment after reading this blog is to think of one idea in a book, article, video, podcast–anything that you’ve read or heard over the past year that you wanted to apply to your life but never quite got around to doing. 

I encourage you to find that article, locate that “something” you wanted to do and DO IT within the next seven days. If it’s something you do on an ongoing basis, then find a way to incorporate it into your life and/or your business.

All excuses are equal – so just do it.  Feel free to share the knowledge source (e.g., the video, book, article, etc.) you chose to focus on in the comments below.  The only thing better than applying knowledge is sharing it.

Success is the uncommon application of common knowledge.
You already have the knowledge. Now apply it with uncommon commitment.
It won’t be easy. But I assure you – it’s simple.