My Networking M.A.P. 🧭

To succeed, you need a M.A.P: Mentors, Allies & Patrons.

Let’s break this down, covering mentors this week and the others in the coming posts.

One of the best pieces of advice I got from a few mentors: if you want advice on something, find someone skilled at it. They don’t have to be the best - just good.

How? Ask for an introduction or reach out in a socially appropriate way. Say that you would really appreciate advice on xyz. Give them an ‘out’ (e.g. “I totally understand if this isn’t a good time / possible)” so there’s no pressure and make it clear that you won’t be a drain on their time and energy.

Also, reciprocate in any way you can. There are connections, skills, or even free time that you can leverage to help them.

If you have multiple mentors with different areas of expertise, you’ll be a a large advantage in the workplace.

2 Steps to Building a Network

“Your network is your net worth.”

If connections are so important, how do you make them?

Here’s 2 steps:

1. Reach out. It will feel uncomfortable, but so do job interviews. A strong network is more important than any interview.

   Reach out to a potential mentor or get an introduction. Ask for advice. Show that you respect their time. Which leads to…

2. Be nice. Have good manners. Be a good audience. Show appreciation. Help in any way you’re able.

Do these 2 things and you’ll be on your way.

How to Do Your Dream Job Now - and Later

It’s easy to see your first job as a waiting room for the “real” one. 

But the only way to get there is to do your current job well. You won’t be promoted if you’re not doing good work.

Second, look for skills you can bring to your dream job. Even if the tasks are unrelated, there are always skills — communication, time management, computer skills — that you can learn. Being proactive turns any job into a skills-building opportunity.

Third, grab small opportunities to do your dream job now. If you want to lead, volunteer to train a new hire. If you want to get into marketing, offer to work on a campaign. If you aspire to advise clients, help them in ways you’re able.

Your current job won’t hold you back — if you won’t let it. 

Make the most of it.

Focus = Growth

Last week we said: when you’re starting something new, focus is everything.

Here are some examples:

• I’d rather get really good at handling customer calls than constantly ask to “help with marketing,” before mastering the basics (my actual job).

• I’d rather stay late once a week to learn my company’s systems than use that time to brainstorm a side hustle.

• I’d rather consistently follow up with clients and be known as reliable than jump around looking for something interesting.

This will make you a source of certainty, aside from being really good at your job.

Learn skills in less time

When you're learning something new—like starting a new job or picking up a new skill—focus is everything.

Yes, there's a time for developing other skills. But at the beginning, the most important thing is to get good what you're doing. That only happens through consistent, focused effort.

For example: I’d rather take an unpaid opportunity in my industry than a paid part-time job in something unrelated (unless I really need the money). Why? Because one helps me build skills, experience, and relationships that compound. The other distracts me.

• I’d rather spend time shadowing someone in my industry than driving for Uber. One moves me forward. The other just moves me around (sorry).

Mastery comes from focus. Diversification can wait.

Next week we’ll dive into some examples.

The Most Underrated Skill in Business

A few weeks ago I wrote about being a source of certainty.

How?

By being consistent.

Think about it:

Would you rather work with someone who inconsistently puts out good work or someone who is reliable, even if sometimes mediocre?

Be the one who always delivers.

You’ll be trusted and respected.

Oh, and studies show that consistent action can produce better results.

So you can have your cake and eat it too.

Outsource Your Brain

Want to protect your mental bandwidth?

Outsource reminders.

Write them down - in a place you won’t need a reminder to check. I just open a new browser tab and type it in.

Also works for habits. I used to plan to start things… then forget… then remember three months later. Classic.

Now I make it a habit to set reminders. Somehow, not circular logic.

Example: I keep pushup handles on my desk. When I get up, I put them on my chair. Can’t sit down until I’ve done pushups.

Simple. Works every time.

The (Free) Skill That Can Fast-Track Your Career

There’s a skill that can help you move ahead in your career—and it won’t cost you penny.

Be a source of certainty.

People hate uncertainty. It takes up space in their brain. It stresses them out.

Of course, don’t be unreliable.

But go a step further: be so reliable that noone has to wonder if you’ll do the job on time.

How?

3 Ways:

1. Communicate early—and then remind. People forget. Life is busy. Don’t assume they remember your timeline.

2. Be consistent. Reputations are built on patterns, not one-offs.

3. Keep people updated. Never leave your boss, client, or colleague wondering what you’re up to. If they have to ask, you’re already behind.

In a world full of uncertainty, being a reliable constant is a competitive edge.

Idea from: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/become-an-uncertainty-killer/ Great blog btw.

Uncomfortable, Part 2

Discomfort is a skill.
Also: wildly underrated.

2 exercises:

1. Take a colder shower than you want.
   Growth lives in that moment you hesitate… then turn the knob anyway.

1. Ask for a discount on coffee.

Easy in theory, not so much in real life.

For more, see this article.

uncomfortabl

The quality of your life is based on the number of difficult conversations you’re willing to have. - Tim Ferriss

Not eager to have; willing to have.

Being okay with discomfort is one of life’s key skills.

In the next post we’ll explore how to develop it.

Trial & Error

We think we shouldn’t start a project until we feel ready.

It’s normal.

However, the best way to learn is often through trial and error.

The most basic example is life itself.

We aren’t educated or prepared before birth.

We learn along the way.

Questions

What’s more useful, a question or an answer?

Surprisingly, it can be a question.

A question can open up your mind to multiple answers.

Learn how to fish.

Do More

Want to succeed?

Do a bit more than expected.

Come a little earlier.

Stay a bit later.

Help out more than necessary.

It will stand out.

Go Giving

Middah Kineged Middah (measure for measure.)

It’s how Hashem treats us.

If you want to receive, then give.

It’s also logical: People would rather do business with a giver than with a taker.

Besides being the right thing to do, it will benefit you too.

Idea from the book, The Go Giver, by Bob Burg, a short and inspiring read.