If You Get the Answer Wrong–You’ll Miss Out!

What does social “networking” mean to you? This is a very important question because if you have the answer skewed you will either offend people left and right, thus missing your purpose or, you will miss amazing opportunities for yourself and others.

On the negative side, have you ever had people see you as a target or a rung on a ladder? It doesn’t feel so good to be used, right? Yet, how do we accomplish expanding our brand, or our mission without using people?

Annette Trucke
Annette Trucke

I know two (beautiful) ladies that wherever they go they actively and cognitively are looking for people whom they may help. They do this by the leading of the Holy Spirit and their own natural gifting—and they do so as a team. They remind me of the scripture that says, “the eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support them who heart is towards Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9—paraphrased). They do this through word, prayers, deeds, concept, or connections.  They purpose to help others get to where they need and want to be. I will call them L & R. I so admire both of them!

These two women have networking right! Whether in an official networking group or chatting with a bunch of new friends standing in line at Starbucks, they have learned that networking should be about what I can do for you—not just, what can you do for me?

There are others, many others that are like these women and I have had the wonderful pleasure of getting to know so many of them in organizations that could easily turn to the “what can you do for me” only groups. You the reader may very well be one of those amazing people looking for ways to help people.

Of course we all need good connections for our businesses or organizations so that they may prosper. We need them as we launch out into new areas in life—and it is good to want to make those connections—the kind that will point you or connect you to the right people and the good routes to take.  We should want that and we should pray for those connections. Yet, there is a natural and spiritual reciprocal response as well when we learn how to live like R & L. That attitude of, “How can I help you?” will come back on you as a blessing and answers for your own life, left and right.

Today is our monthly Eugene area Christian Chamber of Commerce Northwest luncheon. We go there to get better professional equipping and to “network.”  I would like to challenge all of us to take up the mind-set of R & L and truly listen and watch for opportunities for others. I promise that for every door you open for someone else one (or more) will be opened for you! And…God will be honored by this unselfish way of living as well.

How can I help you?

Generosity Isn’t Just About Giving Money or Things

Generosity isn’t just about giving money or things–it is a mindset. Generosity is the opposite of a poverty mindset. A poverty mindset says, “it’s mine and I might not have enough to share” whereas the generous mindset says,”you are important and I want to share what I can with you, however I can.” Of course the preceding could have been written many ways.

Generosity has arms open. Poverty has arms held close with a fear of lack–that giving will somehow detract from what they have. Generosity is far less fearful–or possibly fearful not to share for what would happen then?

In Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 it says:

(New International Version)

Ship your grain across the sea;

    after many days you may receive a return.

Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;

    you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

(or in The Message Version)

Be generous: Invest in acts of charity.

Charity yields high returns.

2 Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around.

Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.

Most of the time I love people–strangers and all. They interest me and I can connect fairly readily to all sorts of people. I do talk to strangers. And I often wonder if I have something to give. I am talking at the most basic levels–a smile, a kind word, respect, help, or can I be a bridge to connect people to people, or somehow, in someway, people to God.

The above scriptures talk about risk taking. If you give out of what you have will you lose it all, or will it, like an investment, come back to you?

There are risks at even the most basic levels. A smile or good manners may be misinterpreted or not appreciated.

The generosity that I want to get at here is really an attitude that builds others up and connects them to whatever it is they are needing to connect with.

I bring this up because who we connect with is everything if you ask me. Networking to network or cause financial gain seems rather droll and flat. But when we connect with people without looking for something from them, we naturally “network.”

I heard a story today I would love to share but it isn’t mine to share. Basically being in the right place at the right time and the person took some risks following God’s lead hence connecting people whom the connection blessed.

I love being a connector. It builds people up, businesses up, organizations, and the Kingdom of God. When I work with people (Audacious Consulting & Media) one of my biggest ambitions is to connect people to people and help spot a way for dreams to be realized. This comes naturally and it comes as part of my goal with consulting. But again I would like to remind anyone who will listen, that we can all be bridges for one another. As you do so, you will find–even if it takes a few years that it will come back to you.