Welcome to the third weekend of the 28 Day Network Challenge! I happy to say that it is still going strong, and I love hearing all the stories!!!
My Networking Accomplishments
So without further ado, here are some of the highlights from the third week of the Network Challenge.
(1) I met quite a few of my future co-workers during a meet-and-greet. I am super excited to start on March 6th in the new office. There were a lot of synergies between what I bring to the table and what they are currently working on. So, I can’t wait to start.
(2) I caught up with one friend this week, but tried to call three others. Everyone seems so busy these days between work and family, but it’s still nice to catch up when you can. On a quick side note, does anyone else think that a guy calling up another guy up to catch up can be a bit weird? Usually, I call and a friend will respond with, “Is everything okay? Do you need something?” After we get through some of that beginning awkwardness, it’s always great to reconnect.
(3) Finally, since Monday is President’s Day, I plan to reach out to everyone in my LinkedIn network to see if there is anything that I can help them with or connect them with others in my network. So, wish me luck as I pound out those emails 🙂
Readers, how was your third week of the Network Challenge? Have you had any great successes or failures? Any goals over the next week? Share your thoughts below.
Great work Rob, do you feel more connected or your life has more purpose as a result of your efforts?
For networking, I reached out to my real estate agent, I did a Happy Hour for a friend’s birthday on Wednesday and met a guy who wants to do algorithmic trading on the side (something I studied in school), and Friday I had coffee with a student from my Master’s program. Thanks for sharing.
Erik @ The Mastermind Within recently posted…Positive Transformation – Bigger, Faster, Stronger 7
I definitely feel like I am more connected to the people that I have reached out to. As well as those that have reached out to me. I definitely feel like I am getting to know more people in the community. If/when I go to FinCon I’ll have that much more of a comfort zone 🙂
I don’t think that it’s weird calling up a friend to try and catch up. I had a guys night out at the concert last night with my buddies that I don’t have that many chances to hangout with them anymore as we are all occupied with young kids. It’s a great time to catch up and do what we used to do before we had families.
Leo T. Ly @ isaved5K.com recently posted…The Fourth Step To Saving A Million Dollars
It may just me b/c I’m a huge introvert. Most of my friends have spread out around the country and it’s not always easy to carve time to catch up. Usually when one of us is in town for business that’s when we do our major catching up. Otherwise most of my friends and I avoid phone calls. But we may just be weird 🙂
Bravo! I can’t wait to hear all about your experience at the new job. It’s great that you got to have a meet and greet beforehand, too, so you’ll already know a few familiar faces. 🙂
Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…What’s For Dinner?
I am super pumped about the job. Plus it was definitely knock off a couple of the first day jitters since I’ve visited the office and know a couple of the people.
I don’t think it’s weird to guys to connect, I just think it’s even harder so happens less often. Mr. Mt meets up old coworkers and people in his field regularly. But I think 30’s-40’s are the most difficult season for people to maintain those relationships. Between more demanding work, marriage, and young kids we can be pulled in a 100 different directions.
Ms. Montana recently posted…Financial Independence Flash Point
Thanks for sharing Ms. Montana. I think it’s difficult to catch up on the phone more so than in person. It’s just setting aside the time to meet up in person that is the hard part. I have a couple of friends that are really good about meeting up. Where as I have one friend that we only talk during college football season. I guess it works for us, but I can definitely see how others might find it weird 🙂
This is fun. I just read through the origins of your network challenge and I’m late to the party. I applaud the initiative. Networking is one of my points for improvement. This is something that I could do too.
Thanks for joining MWS!!! Can’t wait to hear your successes next week 🙂
Congrats on the progress. My networking normally consists of sending a social media message several times per year, although I & my former classmates always have the best intentions of meeting up on vacation, etc. That’s the problem when we all live a day’s drive away from each other.
The LinkedIn idea is pretty good. I probably use that as much as Facebook to connect with my old classmates because it’s “low-key” and I guess we usually communicate during working hours when we are more likely to be on Linkedin instead of Facebook.
Congrats on the landing the promotion as well!
Josh @MoneyBuffalo recently posted…Do You Hate Money?
Thanks for the well wishes Josh!!! I am definitely excited about the opportunity.
I am glad to hear that I’m not the only one that struggles when it comes to catching up with old friends. It’s definitely something that I need to work better on.
Being an introver at parties and meetups, thjis is an action point for me.
My wife added a twist: it is not the quantity of the connections, it is the quality. With that mindset, I am now more relaxed and happy after a great reconnect or new connection.
Amber tree recently posted…Fascinating how kids learn
Thanks for sharing Amber Tree!!! I definitely agree it’s not the quantity but the quality. Who cares if you know a million people if you can’t connect with them 🙂
It is definitely not weird to reach out to other guys. I think you’ll find out through your networking journey that most people enjoy getting together, talking, and catching up. In my opinion, networking is the best way to land future jobs!
Since my first job out of college, I haven’t applied for any jobs. With LinkedIn, recruiters have access to your profile
The Grounded Engineer recently posted…Early retirement: is it possible and what is F.I.R.E.?
Thanks for sharing!!! It looks like I may just be the awkward one as you have repeated a lot of sentiment on the website 🙂
Clearly I need to reach out more often and see how folks are doing.
Nice job on the networking!
I have to say that the winter has made me a little more anti-social, but now that the spring is coming, I definitely plan to boost my networking!
Primal Prosperity recently posted…Got Presenteeism?
Winter is always a tough time 🙂 With it being 70 degrees outside I find I’m in a much better mood and hopefully those around me are as well 🙂 I definitely would like to see my networking continue to increase through the spring/summer 🙂
Nice work here MSM, loving your work and reaching out to everyone in your LinkedIn network, wow that’ll be massive (btw add me on LinkedIn you’ll find me as Jef Miles).
As for reaching out to another guy being a guy to catch up, wouldn’t say it’s that awkward although it’s not as commonly done as women catching up with another woman I suppose :)!
I will definitely be looking you up Jef and maybe it’s just me that’s awkward and not others 🙂