"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our
fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions
run as causes, and they come back to us as effects."
-Herman Melville
Whether we like it or not, connectivity is the reality of our world.
We don't live in a vacuum, and we can't function as an island.
No matter our level of self-sufficiency, we still must depend
on others in various capacities to accomplish our goals.
We might need powerful references to attain a job, or
to get our foot in the door. We might need a computer tech
to make our dream realized. We might need contacts in
other arenas to provide information and ideas in our own field
or department. The more fingers and ears you have, the better
equipped you are to handle things.
No matter what the presentation of a successful man that he
is self-made, that is only a part of the tale. There are many
along the way who assisted and led and tutored him into success!
Henry Ford was famous for a scene in which he was being
criticized for being illiterate, and he pointed to his phone and
noted that 'all he had to do was push any button on that phone
and get an expert in 20 different fields. Including spelling!'
It doesn't matter how it gets done; only that it gets done.
We all have need of resources, relationships, connections,
and networks that will provide us with help along the way.
Even if you feel you have nothing to offer in return initially,
there are folks who can help. The time for you to scratch
their back may come later, or they may simply take an
interest in helping someone who's sincerely trying.
You can't know the answer unless you ask the question.
Put pride to the side and start taking steps to build up your
network of friends, connections, and tutors. You can never
have too many friends.
It's important to note that the famous quote is often mis-spoken;
It is only the "foolish consistency which is the hobgoblin of little
minds." If you're focused on greatness, then consistency is the thing
which can carry you through.
Consistency, patience, persistence; they all go hand in hand.
Life is more about the tedium and the regularity than the drama
and the big events; wait long enough and everything under the sun
comes back around. If you're smart enough and staid enough to
notice this and restrain from impetuousness, you may get the prize.
One's commitment to personal goals and planning is key here, too.
If you are easily run off or scared...if you don't believe fully enough
in self and have a dedication to the long haul, success will likely evade
you. Dedication in heart, energy, time, and resources.
We live in a time of expectation of fast paybacks, and pitifully
short attention spans. (cough cough--computers--cough cough!)
If we don't have a consistency to work ethic, calling potential clients,
building relationships, glad-handing, passing out cards, posting links to
our business, turning in applications--just plain damned TRYING--we
can't complain when it doesn't happen.
It may take a hundred efforts and attempts for me to get just a one or
two day job. If that's what it takes...it's what it takes. The alternative is
unacceptable.
Following through means keeping vision strong and keeping spirit high.
We can't allow setbacks and difficulties to derail us; they are an inevitable
part of life. They aren't personal. They aren't the end. They aren't defeat.
We can't let 'lacking' outweigh 'trying.'
Keep going, keep going, keep going...until it happens.
Don't lose out on a dream--or even basic survival--because you gave up
too early. Stick-to-it-iveness is essential!
