Most people strive for success in life, but how do you actually achieve it? After five years in law school, I have discovered three things everyone can do in order to achieve success.
Intro
I will be posting a three-part series in which I will disclose my three factors for success. The objective of the posts is to help you all become successful and achieve your goals and dreams. If I can play a little role in helping you along the way, well then it has been well worth writing the posts.
When I started law school, I had no idea of how important networking was. My main focus was on studying my ass off and getting the best possible grades. About six months into my study I realized that some of my peers were getting better grades and landing the cool student jobs at law firms ahead of me. I knew that they couldn’t be studying harder than me, so there had to be something else to their success. I discovered that the most successful students where good networkers, something I wasn’t. That’s when I decided to ditch my old introvert habits and became a networker. It’s a decision I will never regret taking.
What are the benefits of networking?
Many people don’t see themselves as networkers, but let me tell you networking isn’t just for entrepreneurs and business people. Networking is for everyone who want’s to succeed in life. That’s why I recommend that you build and cultivate a network within your profession.
I have build a solid network by being involved in a variety of things. I have gone to networking events and had extracurricular activities. I joined a sorority. I did pro bono work as a legal advisor and even had an unpaid internship working 37 hours a week for six months. My network has opened a world of possibilities for me. I know so many great people who are bright minded and have awesome skill sets. I can effectively draw on them to land job interviews or to exchange thoughts and ideas sparking my creative thinking and problem solving abilities.
Top 3 benefits of networking:
1. New opportunities
Having a network gives you access to people who can boost your career by opening doors and help raise your profile. You will be able to tap into other people’s network through referrals.
2. Increase your chances for success
Your chances for success goes up when you have people opening doors and exchanging information with you. Because of your network, you will have more confidence in your own abilities and you will have people supporting and cheering for you to succeed. You will also experience personal growth, which will have a compounded effect on your future career as well.
3. Helping other people achieving success
Networking is most effective when both parts gain something from the interaction. Helping your network by sharing information and opening doors is the main key to your success. Moreover, it feels good helping other people, right?
3 tips on how to network
We all know that it takes time to build something valuable. Very few people have overnight success at building meaningful and rewarding relationships. The same goes for creating a great network. It’s an ongoing process, which is why you should do a little networking every day. Here are my 3 tips on how to network efficiently.
You should ask yourself the following 3 questions:
1. What kind of network do I want?
You should consider which types of persons and professions you would like in your network. For instance, if you are an up-and-coming lawyer then it might be a good idea to find an experienced lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the profession and who can be a mentor for you.
2. Where do I find people who can help me?
Your network consists of your friends, family, colleagues and members of social groups you are affiliated with. Anyone you know is part of your network and can be of tremendous value to your future success. However, you should always be expanding your network and get to know new people. Start going to networking events and other social events. You will be amazed by how many new relationships you can build.
Oh, and since we are on Steemit I should emphasize the importance of interacting on social media platforms as well. Meeting new people online and having meaningful conversations might be the easiest way to meet likeminded people who can help you.
3. How do I start networking?
Essentially networking is the same as making friends, and the balance of who is contributing more should be fairly balanced. That means that it’s a game of give and take and no one should be networking solely for their own benefit.
Successful networkers are always visible and interact with a lot of people. It’s all about getting on peoples radars and staying there. You can be visible by:
- Increasing your interactions with the people you already know, and have them introduce you to their network.
- Start going to networking events
- Create your own groups on social media platforms
- Organize events
- Do volunteer work, perhaps in an alumni or a charity organization
- On Steemit, you should be posting, commenting and reesteeming.
- You can also meet up with Steemians on many other platforms as well. Here are a couple chats to start out with:
https://steemit.chat/home
https://discordapp.com/
A good way to be more visible on Steemit is to promote your posts on other platforms. You should check out the following pages:
https://steemit.chat/channel/postpromotion
https://www.facebook.com/pg/steemitbc/posts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1281526168558106
https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovesteemit
https://www.reddit.com/r/steemit
That’s it for part 1 and thank you for reading. I will be posting part 2 sometime during next week so be sure to keep an eye out for it.
Your comments are much appreciated and feel free to ask any questions.
Having a strong network is a true key to success. My personal network is very diversified. It's to the point where I can say in most any situation "I got a guy for that"
Look forward to the rest of the series.
Diversification is very important to a strong network, I should have mentioned that lol :)
Thanks for your input @wakeupsheeps
Keep up the good work.
Great post.
I am all about networking with the right people.
And have been very picky about it.
Didn't serve me well for years...
Then I started networking based on common interests.
Something I learned from a successful millionaire.
Been serving me well for months now.
In fact, it's crazy how "common interest" networking can transform lives.
Love how you tied networking with Steemit. :)
Been active on Steemit Chat and trolling / having fun there! :D
Thank you @sidwrites, I'm glad it is working well for you.
And yeah networking can be a powerful tool, the funny thing is you never know who you will meet or were you end up lol :)
Which is why I just followed you! ;)
Never know, right?
Looking forward to connect further.
Much appreciated @sidwrites, I followed you as well :)
Perhaps I will catch you on the chat :)
Excellent post! And thank you for sharing to the Steem Voters Collective FB group. Our Steemit group should be ready soon and will be far more comprehensive as far as what we're brining to the FB page. Keep posting and I'll keep sharing and upvoting and will encourage others to do the same. That's only one of the Collectives main objectives.
Thanks and praise.
Sounds good @viktorcapulet. I'm amazed by how great this community is and how much people are helping each other. Thank you very much :)
This post received a 20% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @cryptodan! For more information, click here!
honestly, this is a really informative article. I am a network marketer as well. Thank you for posting this blog, it adds values and reminds me, having a network means a lot than doing it by yourself. Nice point of view, followed you!
Thank you @hiroyamagishi, I'm glad it was useful to you.
That's why we should all be networking and sharing information with each other :)
Nice man! I literally gave similar networking advice to a young twenty-something on Discord chat last night.
That's so good to hear, we should all become better at networking :)
And you know what they say about great minds lol :D
Heck yeah! And networking is something I'm just getting good at in recent years, wish I'd of been doing much sooner.
We need to work smart as well and not just work hard only. Investing in networking will surely pay off. Thanks for the tips
I agree, success requires a combination of things, which is why I have divided this topic into 3 parts.
I will be posting the next part in the following week.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts :)
Thank you for the insight. Looking forward to your next post.
Thank you @captain-nemo, it's much appreciated :)
good info and helps me see the bigger picture again -- always hard to keep focus when i so new and trying everything to get a post to move.
Good to hear you found it useful. There's a lot of info to take in when starting here. Keep working at it and things will work out great ;)
Well... I try to tell myself to network and then that anxious antisocial hermit side of me says.
Sadly it is chronic I usually regret staying. haha But I do try. Dear lord do I try haha.
It is especially important here and, oh boy, does it take time! Luckily, it is fun!
You are absolutely right my friend. I have spent almost my entire day here haha :D
Interesting points, Dan. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it :)
Networking works. The human mind is made so that if we have to choose between trusting someone we know and have interacted with or trusting a stranger we'll trust the one we know. So the more people know you the easier it will be for you to be trusted. This is a good post, up voted and followed as I look forward to the other parts.
I haven't thought about it that way, but it totally makes sense. Thanks for sharing your thoughts @erlik :)
Followed back :)
valid points and nice tips, networking is definitely necessary and it's more important to connect with like minded individuals. looking forward to the next in the series!
I'm glad you liked it @jznsamuel, thank you for dropping by ;)
Upvoted and followed :) Nice material
I'm really glad you liked it :)
Followed you back ;)
Awesome!
great work
Thank you @jagbeer :)
One has to have it in himself. Some people hate it. I personally love it. I don't even do it for success but for the pleasure of interaction. ;)
Followed you!
That's even better @velimir. I guess success just comes as a side bonus if you are a natural :)
Thanks for the follow and comment.
I followed you already, sorry can't follow more than once lol :D
Hey Cryptodan, great tips. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Cheers @xervantes, I'm on it :D
Great post, I believe networking is the key to a lot of things. Being honest and real are other qualities. Great post I look forward to the other parts. Even around here community building is the key the money should be last especially for people just starting. Followed & upvoted ;)
You are spot on @road2wisdom :)
I think we should just have fun and experiment with the platform and its uses. If we can help others along the way and make money too, well that's just a added bonus.
Thank you for the input and follow ;)
Nice to meet you @cryptodan and YW
I look forward to more of your posts :))
It is really a great article dear. Waiting for your new articles to come
Thank you @rocksg, I'm glad you liked it :)
Very helpful thanks!
Upvoted and followed you :D
Thank you @carry0n, I'm glad you liked it :)
Networking is really needed. Not just with Steemit, but in life! Everyone has their strong points and you can use that to help each other further in everyones goals!
Exactly @rkrijgsman, together we stand strong :)
enjoyed your post.. networking is key
Thanks :)
Network is everything, but it stille depends on the quality of the network. y network just gave me an oppotunity to get a good job:-)
Agreed, quality is important. Sounds great with the new job opportunity. Remember to tell me about it next time we meet up :)
very much good work
Thank you @swtcamito :)
This is a very good post. Hope it reaches people in their early years of study. I myself find that I should've spent more time building a network while studying. I'm actually only just finishing my studies, but being sort of introverted has left me with less of a network than I would like. However I think I'll start to build my network when I actually get to working full time.
It's never to late to start networking.
I know it can be difficult for introverts, but all it takes is striking up a random conversation with someone, and then you are started :)
I wish you the best of luck with your future networking. For starters I have followed you, so now we can network. That's a beginning at least ;)
Agree with every word,and in my 91st year I'm more qualified than most to say your networking formula is correct. Unfortunately It has acquired cynical titles over the years - 'It's not what you know,but who you know. 'Old Boys Network' 'To get ahead,join a golf club' But I owe my break into management through being recommended by a friend,after numerous application letters of mine failed.
Hi @ijavee.
I was discussing the whole 'Old Boys Network' with a friend the other day. We both agreed that HR recruiters should sometimes take a bet on someone who doesn't fit their preferred profile or someone they know from their golf club. But I never see them do it.
I guess it's just how it works, whether we like it or not. Sometimes we get the best results by playing by the rules and not by trying to change them, which is a good reason to network :)
Thanks for your insights
Thanks for this article, as i'm still new here i really like such content! keep up the good work :)
will follow u for sure! ;)
Thank you @casparleuzinger, it means a lot to me, and I'm glad to be of assistance :)
great write man! im an artist and im not very good at networking or social media. i post my work on instagram n such, but even then im not really sure what im doing to gain a wider audience, I can make friends easily but getting more work is harder i find.
i look forward to part 2!
I'm glad you found some useful info in here :)
Just be yourself and keep interacting with people. I'm sure you will have many followers in no time ;)
Even in our grown up years, you still keep learning me new things, Thank you! Great read bro.
Thanks brother
Well you occasionally teach me new stuff as well, so I guess it's a two way street :D
Thanks for dropping by, and I look forward to reading your first post ;)
I guess it does. glad to hear that :)
Yeah in a few weeks, when school isn't take to much of my time. :D
Very insteresting!.. @cryptodan
Thank you :)
Great post @cryptodan Those are important tips which we tend to forget. Keeping an eye out for part 2!
Thanks @ghostgtr :)
Hi @cryptodan , this is nice and informative blog you got, having this kind of network will make the impossible, possible.. upvoted , followed, and resteemed
I'm glad you liked it @noahinigo10101, and thanks a ton for the upvote and reestteem :)
The Steem Voters Collective always takes care of our own. It's a pleasure to have you. Stick with us we've got bog things in the works.
Thanks again.
I would like to learn more about the Steem Voters Collective and how I can join. Thanks @viktorcapulet
Some great advice here. I have been working on building a nice network in my area. Of course the web now lets you expand that circle father than ever. Thanks for some of your tips, will be putting them into practice.
Good, get out there and create that network for yourself @jocelin-falcon :)
I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's your best advice to someone who want's to build a solid network? :)
Good Info My Friend Thanks For Sharing!
Thanks @saqib :)
wow man thank you so much for that post will help me out :), ill startd doing some of the stuff i just read im gona follow you so if you can you might please follow me also and help me started :)