The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win

by Jeff Haden

Want to build an amazing network? Don’t think in terms of building a network. Build a list of key individual contacts. Think about every key area your business depends on: supplies, products, professional services, marketing, media, etc. Then work hard to build a strong relationship with one person in each of those areas. Build a connection with a lawyer. An accountant. The shipping clerk at your supplier’s warehouse. Your FedEx driver. An influential analyst. Make it your goal to establish a key contact in each area of your business—with a person who won’t just return your calls but will also enjoy hearing from you—and you’ll naturally build an amazing network. When your goal benefits you in only one way, it’s much easier to quit, especially when the goal you set is something you want but do not need to do. When your goal benefits you in only one way, you get far fewer daily jolts of motivation from small successes.