There’s a common theme I have heard from numerous self-educators recently. It’s an idea that almost every successful dropout, entrepreneur, and freelancer attests to.
This concept is the power of networking. Yes, it’s cliche. Many do not understand it fully simply because the word “networking” has been overused.
But the power behind the idea remains. There is no better way to learn than building relationships. Connection to other people keeps the free market alive and births great ideas. Relationships are the key to fueling revolutions, shooting rockets into space, and turning dreams into reality.
Yet most people relate to others on a superficial basis. They comment on the weather or the latest sports. They gossip about other individuals, maybe congratulate a friend on an accomplishment, but never seek to intentionally grow relationships.
Human beings need and love connection. They thrive on building and growing beside others. From this perspective, networking is one of the most valuable investments of time and energy.
The power of connecting to people is real and active within the Praxis community. Collaborations between Praxians are common, and the teams that have come out of the program are strong and active. Participants challenge each other to grow. They give feedback to each other on projects. They balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
I have personally found this aspect of the Praxis network to be a catapult of growth. While building the groundwork for a podcast project, I gained helpful advice from Sarah Iddings, who started her own podcast before me. When I was pondering the idea of a logo, I connected to Chaz Stead, who is building a portfolio of graphic design and needed projects to work on. After hearing the awesome music creation of Lucas Doherty, another fellow participant, I reached out to him and immediately found a connection to a personalized music intro. The countless ideas given to me by my fellow participants have given me added drive to complete the project.
I talked to an unschooler recently who says he focuses on creating as many connections as possible today so that his children will have the ability to learn anything they need and want to later on in life. It was an awesome concept that stuck with me. Many parents are focused on their kids getting just the right grades. The truth is, however, that opportunities are not all about a person’s GPA. More opportunities lie in simple interaction with other humans than in any bookwork you do.
Now is the prime time to build a strong network. Instead of floating along expecting people to come to you, seek to build relationships intentionally. You never know the opportunities that will come from personal connection with others.