Making Life Investments

A few days ago I asked a friend to accompany me to a networking event (TCTHH, if you’re in the Twin Cities, check it out).

The texts exchanged went something like this:

Kareem: Dude, you should come to this networking event with me tomorrow.

Friend: Why? I already have a job…

Kareem: I didn’t ask you to come to a job fair. I asked you to come to a networking event.

Friend: I don’t really need it right now. I’m going to pass…maybe next time.

Kareem: You sure man? You’ll meet some cool people, and there’s free food.

Friend: I’m good. I’m just going to sit here and play xBox360 instead. (Okay, he didn’t say that last part, but you get my drift.)

The reason that my friend didn’t go is because he didn’t see an immediate payout. He didn’t see an opportunity to “cash-out” on his time in the near future. This is a foolish way to think. Instead we need to look at life as a series of strategic investments.

• When we sign up for a gym membership, we don’t go once and expect to see immediate results. We’re aware that we need to go consistently. Even going to the gym one time a week is better than not going at all, because it’s still a minimal investment into our fitness.

• When we open up a savings account, we don’t deposit money once and expect it to grow overnight. We’re aware that in order to see the money grow, we need to continue depositing money and over time, the money accumulates (usually!).

• When we meet someone new, we don’t expect to know everything about him or her in our first encounter(s). We’re aware that we must get to know them, and possibly become good friends over time. It’s not an immediate personal relationship.

If we begin looking at life as a series of investments, we start to see how today’s small deposits will pay huge dividends in the future. These investments are everywhere. They are handshakes, events, hours, favors, phone calls, LinkedIn connections, retweets, happy birthday wishes, and more.

Here’s a quick story:

When I landed my first job out of college at Risdall Marketing Group, it wasn’t because I’d sent in a phenomenal resume (I don’t even think I had one at the time) or because I knew someone who was working there; it was because I’d invested in a relationship with the President and CEO, John Risdall.

I went in for an interview and I didn’t get the position. I did fine in the interview, but John was looking for seniors and I was a junior at the time.

We shook hands and I left the office, but when I got home, I stuck a handwritten thank you note in the mail.

A month later, I sent John an email, giving a brief update of my life. It was nothing formal, I just let him what I’d been up to.

A few of months after that, I picked up the phone and asked John if he wanted to grab a cup of coffee, he said yes and we had coffee. I never brought up any talk of employment.

Half way through my senior year, I received an email from John saying that a position had opened up, and it was waiting for me if I wanted it. No interview, no resume, no questions.

I took the part-time position and after graduation it turned into a full-time gig.  All of this because I’d kept in touch, I’d invested some time and energy into maintaining a simple relationship.

Four years later and I’m still sending Mr. Risdall updates about my life every few months.

Make small deposits, reap larger benefits.

What kind investments have you made lately?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL

If you liked reading this post, simply enter your email address below, and you’ll start getting my blog posts in your inbox.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner