On Building Your Network

Strong relationships are built over time. The best time to grow your network is before you need one.

A powerful way to do that is to simply be useful. Look for ways to help others. Make introductions, offer insight, share resources. Not for payback (though it often comes), but because it's the right thing to do and builds your reputation along the way.

My wise friend Josh Linkner sums it up perfectly: “Give generously. Don’t keep score.”

3 Mantras That Keep Me Sane Around Difficult People

Over time, I’ve found a few mantras that make it easier to stay grounded, especially when dealing with people who might normally frustrate me:

1) Other people’s opinions of me are none of my business.

I can’t control how others see me, and trying to is a waste of energy.

2) Not everyone handles life the way I do.

Expecting others to deal with grief, change, adversity, or relationships like I would leads to disappointment.

3) I seek to love people for their quirks, not in spite of them.

What makes someone difficult might also be what makes them beautifully human.

CEO of You, Inc.

You may not run a company, but you are the CEO of your life.

Every day, you make countless decisions about how you spend your time, who you associate with, and how you present yourself. And like any CEO:

You’re accountable for every choice and every action, both of which have impact on others.

Lead yourself well. You’re building a personal and brand and reputation whether on purpose or not. Like it or not, you are the CEO of You, Inc. Represent your brand intentionally.