The first paragraph of this article provides a brief summary of the content. We are all part of various communities, both online and offline, and these communities are often made up of like-minded individuals. This article focuses on the personal community that surrounds each of us and how we can leverage the power within these communities. The process is not a quick fix, but a lifelong journey that can yield significant benefits.
We all belong to various communities, both online and offline. These communities are often made up of individuals who share similar interests or values. For the purpose of this discussion, we will focus on your personal community - the people you interact with regularly, both in person and online.
To start, grab a notepad or open a word processing document. Reflect on the people in your life. Who do you converse with, meet, or exchange emails with? What do you gain from these interactions, and what do you contribute? How did these relationships form? Write down each person's name and leave space for notes.
Once you have your list, it's time to take the power step. Identify the people you currently do business with. For each remaining name, note down four things: their occupation, whether you share similar interests or values, how they could benefit from your services, and your closeness to them on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the least close and 5 being the closest).
Next, consider how you could expand your relationship with each person to include a business aspect. Remember, understanding their profession can help you see them as a whole person, not just a potential client. This perspective can guide your approach to them.
Now, select the top 10 names on your list. Over the next five days, take a tangible step towards doing business with each person. Perhaps they need more information about your services. Once you've completed this step with the first 10 names, move on to the next 10, and so on.
Throughout this process, keep an eye out for like-minded individuals. As you repeat this process, you'll notice your community growing. The more effort you put in, the more your community will expand.
So, how can a community of like-minded individuals benefit you? At the very least, developing a network of contacts who can provide honest feedback and help you evaluate opportunities can give you a significant advantage. However, if you persist and cultivate a community of like-minded individuals, the rewards can be reaped for years to come.
