It’s All about Networks

Part of living a Maxaficationized life is accepting and understanding that we need others to help us mature and reach our goals and dreams. The phrase, “He made it by pulling up on his own bootstraps” is supposed to mean that this person was solely responsible for their own success.

Now don’t get me wrong. Each success story requires a time the person had a personal, business or both obstacles they had to overcome. Yet there are always contributions from others that are crucial to success.

Here are 7 ways to enhance your network that I have found to be enormously rewarding.

The reasons are varied. If you are in business you need customers, a church needs members, PTA’s need parents, looking for that special person to marry, moving to a new area leaves a friendship hole to fill, and maybe you just need the input of a mentor. No matter which of these or other reasons you may have, we all need to know it is all about expanding our networks.

Go where people are! This refers to physical and virtual locations. You cannot expand your network or “meet other people” by just watching television or even surfing the net.

Eating events

Musical events

Sporting events

Religious events

General entertainment (hint your local library has tons of events for dollar challenged)

Social Networking: Linked In, Twitter, Facebook just to name a few

Find relatives you don’t know. In most families there is a network that has broken down. One of the joys I have is searching for relatives I did not know existed. How? By talking with the relatives I know. You will many times find a friend and maybe a cousin for life!

Keep a “Person” card on you! Businesses are not the only ones that advertise. You can have a personal card that represents, guess who? You. It contains information you want to give out and it makes you memorable, and more so when you put your picture on it. Oh yeah! Do not forget to give it out.

Start by saying Hi and smiling. If you are timid to meeting others practice by just saying a “Hi” and smiling. Get used to others smiling back and saying “Hi” as well. It will make you more comfortable. Engaging and interacting with others gets easier with time.

Meet people as you live life. Anywhere you are in line or having to wait is an opportunity to meet others. You can meet people at the grocery store, post office, schools, restaurants, etc. When you have the “Hi” and smile down pat ask the person where they are from. When someone answers you, most times they will ask where you are from and a conversation begins.

Keep in touch with others. It is okay to call, email, Facebook, or tweet those you know. Just check to see how they are doing, but do not wear out your welcome. Many times you both will have something to share with the other that is of interest.

Introduce your networks to each other. Share your acquaintances and friends with each other. Sometimes that is the value you will bring to the relationship. Believe me you will be appreciated. Do not be selfish, share.

I would love to hear your comments on these and other ways of enhancing your networks.

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 Hi! My name is Vonzel Sawyer. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I started blogging to share from my experience, knowledge, wisdom, instruction, and understanding to help persons maxamize and magnify the positive in their life. That is why I used the terms "maximum" and "magnification" and combined them into a single word "maxafication". Just like something can be magnetized or winterized. I want to impact people to live largely and fully each day!

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