The Benefits of a Strategic Networking Goal

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Hi there, happy Thursday.

Welcome to issue #39 of the Network Wrangler!

I’ve been on the road for over a week in Japan, and it’s given me space and time to step back and examine what I’ve learned since I last visited the country in 2019.

If I could travel back to my pre-COVID self and give him a choice piece of advice, what would it be?

So many ideas came to me as I’ve been confronted by the results of both good planning and bad planning.

I have enjoyed seeing my DuoLingo-taught Japanese find purchase as I interact with non-English speakers here in Hokkaido. It’s given me a lot of confidence here on the ground to navigate places that are definitely off the beaten path.

I’ve also been confronted by the consequences of insufficient planning, especially when it comes to preparing for this hiking adventure we’re on in the Daisetsuzan National Park mountains. I thought I’d gotten in good enough shape hiking in and around my favorite trails in the Bay Area. But nothing prepared me for the kind of terrain and trail conditions like those we encountered on our first day scrambling to the top of Mt. Kurodake. It was over 2 kilometers’ worth of uneven rocky stairs to the top.

And it was on the slow, over-tired descent of this climb, realizing I’d prepared the wrong way for this week-long hiking adventure, that I settled on what I would have told my pre-COVID self: I wish I’d been better at strategic planning for my personal life, and my personal network.

Better late than never, though. After a word from this week’s sponsor, I’ll explain.

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The Importance of a Strategic Goal for Networking

I am a lifelong, avid cyclist. For the last fifteen-odd years, I’ve used this hobby to stay in shape and maintain my sanity as I mature into my prime midlife years. Since 2008, I’ve logged over 30,000 miles on a bike (outdoors and indoors), and I’m proud to be in the top 1% of Zwift users worldwide.

My cycling habit has helped me to tackle every problem I’ve encountered:

• Ate too much at dinner? Ride the bike to burn off those calories.

• Frustrated by something? Ride the bike to work off the stress.

• Want to do a triathlon but suck at running? Ride the bike fast so you can walk the run leg (yes, it worked!).

• Want to be in overall good shape? Ride the bike for a solid cardiovascular workout.

In the last few years, however, I’ve noticed my cycling hasn’t helped me stay in shape the way it used to. I kept riding like I always did, and my legs look awesome (thankyouverymuch), but the rest of my body was starting to atrophy in new and interesting ways.

My longtime fitness strategy of “just keep biking, and it will all work out” no longer worked. I could ride all the miles I wanted, and while it took time, effort, and energy, and I always came away with a nice endorphin rush, it was no longer addressing my broader fitness needs. My overall goal is to stay in good shape for the next 50 years of my life, and cycling wasn’t going to be the activity I could ride to reach that goal.

So, I consulted a fitness coach about my situation, and, working together, we set a new strategy for how I’d stay fit. My new fitness routine includes free weights, walking, meditation, stretching, and of course, biking.

My annual mileage goal for cycling is a fraction of what it used to be, but my overall health is much better, and I know what truly makes a difference for my fitness versus what feels like it should.

It’s a reminder of the power of having a strategic goal and how having that goal helps with so much of the daily decision-making we’re confronted with. How is this contemplated action moving me closer to the goal? If it is, do it. If it’s not, don’t.

I have ridden over 10,000 miles on my bike since the pandemic started, thinking those miles were keeping me in shape when they were simply taking up my time and making me sweat.

Now, when it comes to networking, I think a lot of us are doing the networking equivalent of riding empty miles under the belief it’s actually helping more than it is.

Whether you’re looking to advance in your current job, explore new opportunities, or build a support network, effective networking can open doors to countless opportunities. However, simply attending events, shaking hands, and exchanging business cards is not enough.

To truly benefit from networking, you need to approach it with a strategic goal in mind. A strategic networking goal ensures that you’re purposeful in your interactions and maximize the value of each connection you make.

I’ve shared how I used a strategic fitness goal to align my activities. Let’s explore the benefits of having a strategic networking goal and how you can identify one that aligns with your professional needs.

The Benefits of Having a Strategic Networking Goal

1. Focused Effort: Having a specific goal in mind allows you to focus your time and energy on the people and opportunities that matter most to you. Instead of connecting with anyone and everyone, you can focus on building relationships that align with your professional objectives.

2. Meaningful Connections: When you’re clear on your goals, you’ll find it easier to connect with individuals who share similar interests or can offer relevant insights and advice. This leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships rather than surface-level connections that may not lead to much.

3. Career Advancement: Networking with purpose can help you achieve your career goals faster. Whether you're looking for a mentor, job opportunities, or advice on a new industry, a clear strategy allows you to connect with the right people who can help you move forward.

4. Better Use of Time: By knowing what you want out of networking, you’ll be able to attend events, join groups, and engage in conversations that are relevant to your objectives. This saves you time and ensures that your efforts are yielding results.

So, how crisp is your networking goal? Are your activities aligned with what you’re actually trying to achieve? Take some time this weekend to reassess.

If I’d been better at preparing for this trip, I would have set a strategic goal to get fit by climbing miles and miles of stairs on uneven terrain to be ready to tackle the Japanese trail system (so different from California!). And you can believe I’m sharing my observations with the tour operator on how better to alert people like me to get better prepared. After all, I was an outdoor guide in my early 20s and have summited Mt Whitney three times in the years around turning 40. I’m no stranger to altitude.

Here’s hoping you’ve got an active weekend ahead of you!

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