NETWORKING (PROFESSIONAL FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPMENT - PFD) IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

The cardinal rule to observe here is that every human being we come into contact with daily in our lives is capable of helping us and we are capable of helping them.

It is a fallacy to think that PFD is only for extroverted people. It is a skill, which can be learned with practice, like swimming!

The quickest way of showing appreciation to your networking contacts who have helped you is to write prompt and meaningful thank-you notes, including a statement of how of how you plan to follow through on their suggestions. This is the sincerest form of flattery.

PFD is not all peaches & cream. Be prepared for a few rejections. Don't internalize rejection. Like a salesperson, move on to the next step.

(Read this full chapter in Don Sutaria's book, Career And Life Counseling From The Heart.)