#adulting: Benefits of Networking

I used to think of networking as a dirty word, but now looking back, I can better appreciate the benefits of building networks.  Adam Grant’s Give and Take was instrumental in causing this mindset shift.  I used to view networking as full of takers, just wanting to see how they can benefit.  Now, networking to me is a bunch of people who come together to both give and also take, sometimes perhaps even just matching.

For an introvert like me, networking can sometimes be overwhelming and draining.  I thrive on smaller groups networking, or even just talking to the lady in front of me at the bank or in the co-working space.  As we #adult, we need to know and be able to do so much more, but yet time becomes more of a huge constraint factor.  Networking helps because I like to see it as getting the most outreach with the least effort. Networking is not about ‘consuming’ or ‘taking advantage’, rather it’s about collaboration and helping one another to reach our full potential.

There are many areas of our lives that can benefit from having networks – it’s no longer just work.  Here’s some areas which I found it really useful to have relationships in.  Can you think of others?

To make the most out of your networks, take a look at our article on how to communicate effectively.

This experience is not unique. Many of us have been taught to save and intuitively know not to splurge but our brain is hardwired for dopamine. For some, spending triggers a feel-good emotion, which is the brain’s way of rewarding us when we spend. Knowing your gratification style will help you understand how you are structured in terms of the spend-save spectrum so that you can better plan your finances/ responses to how your brain is geared for satisfaction.