Build a bigger boat.

Sometimes it’s just an uphill battle to motivate yourself to connect with new people, reconnect with existing people or just be with any people. To me that’s a sign that I’m tapped out or tired of living wit the ambiguity of a pandemic and how to do business. Do you mask? Do you zoom? Do you attend an event? Do you wear real pants when you’re zooming? Do you apply for a job not knowing what the culture is like? You get the idea.

So rather than shrinking from all these questions, make a list and build a bigger boat. Meaning where do you want to go and who do you want on the boat with you? And if you don’t like the boat analogy then use a sports metaphor and build your team. It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people.

I built a small boat when I first left Best Buy and started my own business. I met with a half dozen people and told them what I was doing. And then all of sudden I started to network and I was everywhere but really I was nowhere. Can you relate? Did you ever join too many organizations and actually accomplish nothing. I call that phony baloney networking. It doesn’t do very much for the long haul.

So build your boat with a clear vision of why you want a network and who you want on the boat with you. That means no mean people, no takers and no A$$Holes. I’ve made many mistakes and let a few of all of those on my boat at one time or another. Invite people into your network that will make you better. Invite people who you can grow with and who can learn from you Invite people who are different than you in age, race, gender, industry etc. Your boat needs variety and you will have a much richer life if you branch out.

If you haven’t connected with someone you thought or hoped might be on your boat, reach out. Use Linkedin, use a DM in instagram, make it happen with a phone call or a cup of coffee.
I get tired of networking and talking to people but then I regroup and find the people who make me laugh, make me better and make me feel valued for helping them accomplish their goals. Share your boat with the right people and keep going.

Photo Credit: My husband, who ordered the sushi boat special that was said to be for two people and clearly we needed to invite friends.