Grow Your Network, Grow Your Life

In this day and age, time is money, but so are relationships. 

We are currently the most disconnected, yet, connected society. We can connect with people in different countries and various parts of the world right in the palm of our hands, yet many of us still feel disconnected, unable to have rich and thoughtful discussions with one another.

Relationships are valuable not just for having a fulfilling life experience but they are also key to getting you to the next level of your life. Relationships are what have gotten me nearly every job. For this reason, today we’re discussing three tips to grow your network, whether it is to find your next bestie or your next job.

Here are three tips to grow your network:

Connect with alumni from your school

I’m not sure about you when it comes to writing people, but I enjoy starting chats based on our commonalities. Connecting with someone who went to your college or high school is easier than just blindly contacting someone. One way you can start a conversation is by saying “Hey (name), I see that you’re also an alumni of XYZ school, I am too. I see you are also in XYZ career which I am interested in breaking into. I’d love to connect with you and hear more about your experience in (current role).”

Join groups based on mutual interest 

As adults, we tend to forget about our interests and put them on the back-burner to be a productive member of society. However, I think indulging in whatever interests you have is important. We weren’t put on this planet to just work. You can find groups based on mutual interests on Meetup.com, Facebook, Linkedin groups, and more. If you enjoy dancing, maybe meetup.com would be best for you. If you want to get into real estate, there’s a Facebook group for that. Joining groups based on mutual interest will allow you to meet new people, blow some stress from everyday life, and also allow you to build community.

Gather your friends for virtual or in-person check-ins once per month

Time flies when you’re an adult. I remember being in college and having my friends next door always available. Now, we all live in different areas, and catching up can be difficult. However, it’s important to make time for those you love. We’re only growing older and must take advantage of life while we’re still here. Needless to say, schedule virtual or in-person meetups each month with your friends. This will allow you all to check-in and see how you’re doing. It will also allow you all to pour into one another's cup. I love being around my friends; I feel recharged whenever I finish hanging out with them. Life is precious so make time for those you love now.

You never know where one connection can lead you. Trust the process and only engage with those that fill your cup and add value to your life. Build your community; we are nothing without one another.