In my personal opinion, networks can make you wealthy or miserable. If you hang around negative people you become just like them, and if you associate with inspired people you become better too.
I have a very close friend who has a lot to share about her networks. Her stories are always tantalizing. She talks about the machines her friends drive, the exclusive parties they attend, the million shilling businesses they own and how hard they work and play. In the end , she mourns her current financial situation. I ask her why she does not take advantage of these powerful connections, to which she reckons that its about time. It doesn't sound as convincing as the verve with which she talks about the fast life.
This leaves me wondering if association with greatness automatically rubs off on the less brilliant. Lionel Messi is a brilliant player. Does his ability rub off onto Mascherano?. No one in their right capacity desires a below par existence. We all want to be better. When in the presence of brilliance, we aspire to be bigger; to do greater, because we see it in action.
However, seeing is not enough. We have to actively engage with the excellent individual to gain from them. They as well gain from us. Messi may not have achieved as much without Andres Iniesta. So my friend is in a great circle, but she has settled to being herself and not ventured actively to tap into what makes them tick. Her friends admire the carefree energy she brings to the group and they can let go while around her, thereby making it a one-way unhealthy relationship. Without her active interaction on the business side, the network may end up not benefiting her at all.
Networking is the key or the padlock to success.
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