Powerful Connections

P.I.E. - Performance, Image, Exposure Part 3

It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.

The more people who know what you do, the more business or job opportunities you’ll have.

Acquaintances are often the biggest help. They extend past your natural circle into other fields and circles.

See this study on the power of weak ties over strong ties: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2022/09/real-strength-weak-ties 

Frameworks 2

Image - Your Personal Brand (P.I.E. part 2)

Just like a company’s brand, you have 1 too. You’re either creating it proactively or mindlessly.

What do people think when they think of you?

What do they feel?

Are they confident in your ability to get the job done? To be a positive team member?

That’s your Image.

Try to act, dress, and produce your best.

You never know who’s looking.

Fraeworks

Want to be more successful? And save time?

Use frameworks.

Instead of reinventing the wheel when a common situation comes up, use a framework.

The first framework we’ll discuss is -  

P.I.E.

3 areas to focus on in your career:

1. Performance

2. Image

3. Exposure

If you want to grow, it starts with performing well. Doing solid work. Consistency. Providing a valuable good or service.

Without this, you have nothing.

Next week we’ll move on to Image.

Writing & Tracking

The Chosen Yehoshua explains: when we know we should do something, but are lazy, if we’ll have to record it, we’ll do the right thing.

When you need motivation to do something - track it.

When I know I’ll will have to mark a check or an x, I get an extra push. I don’t want to let myself down

Writing, Underrated Superpower II

Writing clarifies your thinking.

It also clarifies other people's thinking.

How?

Take notes.

This forces you to uncover the main points. And you’ll create a structure for the ideas.

Instead of information coming at you, you sift and organize it.

Writing - an Underrated Superpower

The central part of learning…is writing. - Maharsha (Bava Basra 10b)

Communicating forces you to gain clarity. But not all communication is equal.

When speaking, you can be repetitive and vague. When you write, however, the words stare at you in black and white. Repetition and fluff are obvious.

Writing forces you to clarify the essential point for yourself, before you try to share with others.

And that is central to learning.

Quit 3

Another strategy for proper quitting?

Plan ahead.

Set goals that if not met in time, it’s time to change your focus.

Write down and review with your accountability partner at those times.

Quit 2

Proper quitting is a superpower.

One powerful tool:

Ask a friend.

Deep down you know when to quit, but you’re biased.

Your friend isn’t.

If you have a mentor, even better.

Quitting

Most people think quitting is bad.

And that’s true—if you quit just because something is hard.

But in her (great) book Quit, Annie Duke says quitting can be a skill.
It’s not giving up. It’s choosing smarter.

Sometimes we work hard but don’t move forward.
Sometimes what we do is fine, but we’re missing out on something better.
Sometimes we know it’s not working—but we stay anyway.

Don’t be afraid to quit what’s holding you back.
Be brave enough to move toward what helps you grow.

Next week: a powerful tool to help.

Heart-Mind Cycle of Change

It starts in the heart, then the head, back to the heart.

That’s how R’ Chaim Friedlander explains change.

First desire / goal / inspiration.

Then into our hearts, becoming a part of us.

How?

Using our smarts to apply proven methods.

Resolutions Don't Work, Do This Instead

Resolutions don’t work.

I’ll prove it.

If they did, you’d be doing them already.

So how do you change?

Do what works, not what you feel should work.

If you wanted to help a group of people what would you do?

• Change their environment.

• Make it easy.

• Rewards.

• Positive peer pressure.

• Accountability.

• Tracking.

• Reminders.

Do that for yourself.

Decisions: Making it Practical 💪

As mentioned, deciding works better than just wanting - even wanting strongly.

There are unlimited ways to make something a must. Here are a few:

• Accountability buddy (check-ins with a peer) or coach, like a personal trainer.

• Taking on a role/job that you won’t feel comfortable quitting from.

• Public commitment (announce your goal to friends or community).

• Join a group with shared standards (learning, exercise, public speaking, volunteering).

• Role model pressure (mentoring someone, setting example for your kids).

The idea is anything that makes you feel ‘I have no choice.’

Next week we’ll explain how to use this to create lasting change.

Tweak this to Access a Superpower

One of the most talked-about powers is Desire. It truly can be jet fuel for success.

However, Scott Adams (great writer) argues that deciding is far more powerful. Desire has an inherent weakness: You are dependent on fluctuating willpower.

Deciding is when you commit that no matter what, you are doing x. This removes decision making and gives you the power to overcome obstacles. It won’t be easy, but now you’re just following your decision.

You’ve already decided and you’ve accessed a superpower.

How to be even more effective ✔️

So, you identified (see previous post) the 20% that matters. Now what?

80/20 it (sorry, there’s no escape):

• The few frustrations casing most of the headaches → which aspects to tackle?

• The skills/knowledge that have an outsize impact → the essential parts?

• The top 1–2 actions each day that are most important → the most effective tools?

• The workouts/food that give 80% of the benefits → the strategies to set yourself up for success?

• The 20% of issues that cause the majority of relationship tension → What times/situations is it most common?

• The junk that causes 80% of the mess → best ways to prevent?

P.S. How do you 80/20?

Less Work ➡️ Better Results

This is your reminder to use the 80/20 rule.

The rule states that the majority of outcomes come from a minority of inputs.

Use it to identify:

• The causes of most frustrations/issues

• The skills/knowledge that have an outsize impact

• The 20% of concepts that explain 80% of the subject

• The top 1–2 actions each day that are most important

• The workouts/food that give 80% of the benefits

• The 20% of issues that cause the majority of relationship tension

• The junk that causes 80% of the mess

• The areas most likely to have the most problems

Lightning ️ Success ⚡️

You can’t control results. You often can’t predict great opportunities. Promotions, clients, jobs, ventures, connections, often come from unexpected places and times. If your focus is on chasing outcomes, you’ll ride a constant roller coaster of hope and disappointment.

Invest your energy in the one thing you can control: consistently doing solid work. Over time, this builds your skills and keeps you ready to capitalize on opportunities—whether it’s tomorrow or three years from now.

I’ve seen success compared to getting struck by lightning. You can’t control it, but going to hilltops during storms with lightning rods tilts the odds in your favor.

P = Patron

The third leg of your network is a Patron.

A patron is not the same as a Mentor.

While a Mentor advises, a patron advocates, connects, or even gives you a job. It’s that manager/business owner/ connected person you know. (Obviously the same person can be both a patron and a mentor.)

I know you’re thinking: “I’ll take a few patrons, please!” but it’s a relationship you develop over time. Make the connection, often by asking for advice. Show you’re someone who wants to grow, someone worthy of help. Don’t be annoying. Give back and pay it forward. Over time they’ll be happy to help you.

Networking M.A.P. 🤝 Part II

A = Allies

Allies are people who help each other. There are always ways: referrals, ideas, advice, connections, assistance.

If allies are so important, how do you get them?

By being one.

Be someone who helps, refers, advises and connects people. This will create mutually beneficial relationships.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait around for reciprocation. Help because a) it’s a good thing to do and b) when you give a lot, over the long term, you will receive a lot too. Someone who gives, receives - just don’t expect it to come in a certain way/from a certain person/ within a certain time.

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.