It's Less about What You Know than Who You Know Who Knows Someone You Should Know

Networking. I don't think I've ever been very good at it. Not only am I a shy person, I've always been very timid about asking anyone for a favor. And asking someone to spend their valuable time on you is asking them for a favor.

Yes, yes. I've read the stories/blogs/manuals that say how much people like to have others ask them for advice, but in my heart of hearts, I'm still not sure. It's a hump I'm struggling to get over.

I had coffee today with a gentleman who gave me some very valuable advice on how to go about this networking business. In my head I knew what he said about my job search was solid and helpful. My heart was sinking. Head has got to win. I came home and made at least one of the contacts he suggested, and used his name, as he offered. I hope it will bear fruit because then my head will have won one more battle and perhaps provided me the courage to make the next call.

And the next. And the next.

I need to find work. Not necessarily a job, but some work where I can earn not just money but the confidence to climb to the next rung of this very scary unemployment ladder.

Yeah, maybe Dan Rather had it right: "Courage!"