In the last blog we looked at how you can use networking to make it happen – whatever ‘it’ might be for you. Click here to read that blog.

We all need a range of different types of help and we are each of us able to support others in different ways. When you think in a connected way you can work on these things together.  Here’s a practical exercise you can try, to make it happen.

Stage 1: First, grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the left side write down all the ways you can help others. This could be where you have specialist knowledge or qualifications, lots of experience or simply something you are good at that you have shown others how to do. Don’t restrict this to your work life – add all those things from your life outside work too. Your best approach is to write quickly, with no judgement about whether or not this skill is actually helpful to others. It’s simply a way you know you could help others.

Next, on the right side of the paper write what you need help with, that others may be able to support you with. Again, make this a broad list. Give yourself permission to see that you need this help and add it to the list. Again, suspend your judgement. You don’t need to know exactly who can help you or how you’ll get that help. Just write down whatever comes to mind.

Stage 2: Now simply pause and review your two lists, side-by-side. Where are the connections? Is there something you can do for others that might give you access to something you need help with? Is there something you need help with that is related to something you could do for others? This is connected thinking. Perhaps you could help person A who could introduce you to person B who’d be able to help you. Perhaps if you shared your Cinnamon Crumble Cake recipe with your son’s schoolfriend’s parent, they might help you with your yoga class spreadsheets. Make some notes about these connections, so you can follow them up.

Stage 3: Go back to your first list of how you can help others and circle one of the items. It doesn’t matter how you make your choice – pick anything, perhaps the one you most enjoy or the one that is most appreciated by others.

Transfer that topic to another sheet of paper and write it in the centre of the page. Around this, construct a spider diagram, also called a mind map, of the many facets, connections and different aspects of this topic. Include a very wide variety of things – thoughts; ideas; people and groups; events; related topics; deadlines; how you have previously helped people with this topic; books, web pages, articles that you know about on this topic. Again, the best approach, is to write without judgement. As you now survey this page maybe you can see a connection that shows you how you can use this topic to help someone or a group of people.

Finally, do exactly the same with one of the topics you need help with. Fill a page with different aspects related to this and survey for ideas or connections that may get you the help that you need. Remember initially it may not be a person, it may be a group, a webpage or a podcast or something else.

Remember that networks are about giving and getting. No-one will build yours for you. You already have a network, so you are simply building on what you already have.

However you approach your networking, get in touch if you need more help with this topic. Let’s have a chat if it all still seems a bit scary or if you’ve changed direction and need to re-focus your network for your future. Perhaps you need some networking goals for this year? Call me on +44 07977 072 760 or click here to email me and we can talk about what help you need to really make your network work for you this year!