The difference between networking and a NETWORK (what you likely don't know)...

You’ll hear everybody and their mothers talking about the importance of networking and how your career will likely depend on it.

While they’re not at all wrong, they ARE missing a very important distinction.

There is a MASSIVE difference between networking and who is IN your network. Let me expand on this a bit:

You can “know” a lot of people. This is good. This is perfectly fine. There’s literally nothing wrong with this and it can never hurt to know a lot of people in your space, especially if they are well connected. The difference between networking and having a solid network is WHO is actually in your network. The people who are IN your network believe in you. These people want to see you succeed. Beyond that, they will do what they can to help you grow and succeed. THIS is what a network is truly about and what will ultimately contribute to massive growth or a mere stagnant existence.

Don’t mistake this as a call to action to start cleaning out your network or “trim the fat” so to speak, rather, take it as a reminder that not everybody is in your network and that’s ok.

My ex, if nothing else, left me with one good piece of advice that her grandmother used to tell her: “Your friends/ the people in your life are like jewelry in a jewelry box. Everyone has their time, place, and occasion.” This holds true for your network as well. Some people might simply be there to facilitate an introduction to others who will play an important part in your journey. Others might be there to encourage you and support you and truly want to see you hit every last goal you have. Either way, know who’s in your box and respect their place in it!

With that I leave you with this:

Go out. Talk to everyone. Find likeminded people who are supportive and motivated and form genuine connections. That’s the secret sauce. Your circle is your heartbeat.

*Shout out to JE for the inspo for this post! You’re a real one!

-MA