Luckily this article is not about how to setup a router or how you should always carry a huge stack of business cards
What this article is about is creating a case for why you should always be on top of making solid friendships with everyone you meet in order to better enhance your ability to not only network but to better connect with everyone in general
Have you ever been to a forced company function?
Traversed a job fair?
Had an awkward conversation with a girl at a bar?
Made painful small talk in an elevator?
Networking is a word that I hate
Every time I read it, hear about it, and especially when I see someone doing it, I want to calmly tell them that they look like a fool (or some other explicative less pg)
Why?
Networking has become synonymous with short and impersonal human activities such as social media, job fairs, meetings, bar crawls, meet up groups, nearly all areas of life seem to have been compromised by networking
Networking in the sense that you have a forced conversation with an associate in order to obtain the illustrious business card
Networking in the sense that you talk about the weather with the girl at the bar because you believe you have to say something
Networking in the sense that you ask/respond to every coworker, “How was your weekend?” “it was good”
All of this reeks of being impersonal, non authentic, and really lame
Networking is not the key to success, it’s the key to being fake
Instead of networking try doing something a bit more outrageous and unique
I recommend seeking out friendships with people that you meet
Setting tones for friendships open the doors to limitless possibilities with every type of person you interact with
The stunning girl at the bar suddenly becomes your best friend (toss some physical contact in that mix and you can create a interesting situation)
The partner at the law firm you want to work for goes from someone you are sniping out for a 30 second interview pitch/business card gun show to your friend who invites you to go fishing over the weekend
That cashier at Macys transforms from a mere exchanger of goods to a night time DJ who invites you to a club opening party that night
I can trace back many of the best opportunities I have had in life to the simple act of seeking friendships with everyone you come into contact with
Mixing business with pleasure is my creed, and it’s a creed that serves me well
Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself
Head to your next office function and really find out who it is you work with, you might end up with a new best friend
Treat the hotel show shiner with a new level of interest and respect and discover that your next shoe shine is on the house
This isn’t about getting gains for yourself, that’s just a side effect, its about being a better person, seeking out amazing people, and killing a term that plagues everyone’s life
It might hurt the first time, but I promise it will feel just right over time
@%&^ networking
Gabriel
