The Strength Of Your Network

Successful people have robust professional networks (For example look at Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, and Oprah Winfrey). Most of us spend the majority of our time with our closest connections.  We go to dinner on the weekends with the same friends.  We workout with the same few people. At happy hours we eventually migrate to be with our closest friends to debrief on the latest work politics, social happenings, and yes the latest Shark Tank episode (at least I do).  Even further, at work we tend to eat lunch and sneak away for afternoon Starbucks with the same co-workers.

The large amount of time spent with close personal relationships by default naturally restricts our ability to expand our professional networks.  For this discussion let's all agree that one's professional network will most likely lead to one's next job or new customer as this network is exponentially larger than our day-to-day personal network.  I challenge you to dedicate a few hours a week to strengthening your professional network.  Try simple activities such as networking lunches, 15-minute introduction coffees, follow-up emails, seminars, and even joining new social circles.  Your acquaintances can be your most valuable relationships.

Today there is a powerful tool at your fingertips to help develop a strong robust professional network. If you have not guessed it, it is LinkedIn.  The networking power of LinkedIn isn’t in your 1st degree contacts as you already have established those relationships (being friends and close co-workers).  The true value of LinkedIn is in the 2nd degree contacts.  These are the individuals that your 1st Degree contacts can introduce you to.  Your next customer is just 1 introduction away.  Spend the time and effort to building out your professional network.  

-- Pat Roth

Vision Boards - Grab a Glass of Wine, Turn on the Music & Create

I heard about vision boards years ago but never had taken the time to actually look into them or create one. The theory behind them is you look at them often to keep your goals in mind, think positively and stay motivated.

One day a few years ago, I became inspired and decided to pour through magazines and be creative. I came to realize this was a really fun and fulfilling process. I cut out different pictures, phrases, words, etc. that spoke to how I want to live my life and the type of balance I seek in it. For me that included family, friends, faith, being active, etc. I had such a good experience taking some quiet time for myself to turn on music, pour a glass of wine and create!

Vision boards can be made with words, pictures, etc. They can be individual or perhaps something you and your significant other create together to keep in mind your goals and dreams. When I made mine I made a collage on a poster board, but there are many ways you can do it. I know my Dad keeps his in his journal and adds to it continuously with photos, quotes, etc. that he finds. You could also use an online tool like Pinterest or look into a vision board app.

The best way to utilize them is to have it somewhere where you will look often. I hang mine in our closet. And in fact, in writing this I realize that it's time for me to update my board as it has been a few years and a lot has changed!

Have you ever made a vision board?

Happy creating!

Really, Try Tracking for 30 Days

This month Denver hosted a TEDxMileHigh event showcasing numerous Colorado speakers spreading big ideas. TEDxMileHIgh describes itself as "a community of thinkers and doers, ideators and creators, activists and enthusiasts".  Even though it was a beautiful classic Colorado Saturday, I really enjoyed forgoing the sun and listening the the wide range of speakers.  The one speaker that gained traction with me was Ned Breslin, a life long water activist. Ned left me with the very simple thought of if you are not tracking how do you tell if you are truelly creating value.  In other words, without tracking your results you could be moving in the wrong direction and not have a clue.  Ned described a very simple scenario of water focused NGOs moving from town to town in Africa with presumably establishing life changing wells for communities.  The unknown downside was that the NGOs didn't track to see if the wells actually worked in future years.  You guessed it, some were still active and some were disappointments to the host community.  Ned proposes a system of continuous tracking of the wells to learn and establish best practices.

Now we all have big goals and habits for 2013.  What if we spent the next 30 days seriously tracking our progress and results what would we learn about ourself?

July 1st is almost upon us and it is a perfect time to spend 30 days tracking what ever habit you are trying to establish or abolish.  Several of my personal ideas for July tracking ideas are:

• Frequency of workouts
• Meals with vegetables
• Personal finances
• Relationship building through coffees, lunches, email, text messages and yes an old school phone call

As you know I am very keen on systems and platforms.  Some of my favorite tools I am currently using are:

• Nike Fuel Band - tracks my daily movement
• WorkOut - simple calendar iPhone app that tracks frequency and allows simple note taking
• Lift - simple habit creating iPhone app with a social network encouragement element 
• Simple Bound Notebook

What successes have you achieved by tracking? Any recommendations for our Basics Team Members?

Go for it!

-- Pat Roth