Introduction

Introduction

I decided to write this book because I suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts as a child. Back then, I always felt like no one cared about me, which made me feel alone in the world. I felt like I couldn’t understand what my purpose for being alive was, if I had to live in isolation. Anytime I would learn about money, I’d make believe I had all the expensive luxuries I wanted. I felt like the people in my life would have to care more about me if I had a lot of status or wealth. I set ambitious goals for myself and, even though I didn’t have people I could count on in my life, I had goals I could fight for in my life. Goals that helped me feel happier on my own because I finally felt like I had a purpose in the world!

People often experience things in life that force them to choose between giving in to life’s strain or fighting through to the other side. They set goals for themself that help them overcome those bitter experiences and fight with everything they have for those goals. They refuse to give in to the awful circumstances that life throws at them. I want to reach those people and inspire them to continue fighting for their goals. I want to give them the tools they need to stay the course so they can avoid falling into the self-destructive habits I found myself in. The negative habits that developed when I let the unfairness of life beat me, mentally and emotionally. That is why I committed myself to creating this book.

My belief that wealth and status was the answer to the problems within my social life led me to become deeply immersed in my research of money and power. I was constantly reading, scanning, studying, and taking notes on hundreds of articles, books, journal entries, essays, and reports in all things related to money, personal finance, self-development, and self-help.

Growing up, I always thought that money was, simply, power, and that was that. It was only the rich who had the power to get away with murder (both figuratively and literally), only the rich who could afford the luxurious lifestyle that people were jealous of, and only the rich who people really had an incentive to care about, since they had so much, well, power.

However, throughout my research, my own painful experience, and the pain I had seen others experience, I found myself calling into question how I viewed power.

I began to feel that the world was relying too much on money as a form of power. As a result, they were suffering from the numerous opportunities that were slipping through their fingers. Opportunities they couldn’t even see.

I soon realized that my lack of money was not the problem; it was only a result of the problem. The popular literature on attaining wealth only addressed the symptoms, leaving the underlying chronic problems untouched. This would explain why money is still such a big issue for so many in today’s world.

In addition to my research of self-development and money, I began to delve into the art of networking. I even went so far as to take a Yale University course in negotiation and persuasion. I performed field testing to discover which persuasion strategies work in ethically persuading others to join my network and which don’t. By working on my networking skills and learning power dynamics, I became better at communicating, developed a more wholesome personality than the cold one caused by my depression, and built healthy relationships with people who helped me advance to life’s next levels (and I didn’t need tons of money to do it).

Young professionals, college students, and many others who used to struggle to progress toward their goals without the aid of a robust network have already experienced great success by implementing the tips, tricks, and strategies found in this helpful how-to guide.

The strategies I will be sharing with you in this book have created strong business relationships, attracted millionaire investors, and launched brand-new, successful careers. By the end of this book, I promise that you will have the “aha moment” that will set you apart. If you apply the concepts correctly, you will be able to achieve any goal you set for yourself in your personal life and career. These strategies and networking secrets will give rise to exclusive opportunities for your career, regardless of what industry you’re in.

Now, this book is not for people who think they already know everything they need to know about networking. People with that mindset will approach the strategies and information laid out inside this book with a closed mind and won’t be able to see the maximum benefits. As an acquaintance of mine would often say, “Our mind is like an umbrella; it only works if it’s open.” This book is also not for people who have a fixed mindset and no desire to change that mindset.

“In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort.”[1]

In other words, if you don’t believe you can develop the abilities that will take you to the next level, there’s no sense in you reading this book. It would be a waste of your time. If you currently have a fixed mindset and aren’t willing to change your perspective—if you aren’t willing to decide that yes, you can improve your skills in the areas necessary to advance your career and get more out of life—then, once again, this book isn’t for you.

Anyone who has a growth mindset or is willing to switch to one to become better, please know that waiting to read this book will cost you in the long run. Avoid being the person who misses out on opportunities in life because you hesitated to apply the strategies outlined in this book. Be the kind of person other people marvel at. Be the kind of person other people see and say, “I don’t know how they do it.”

Relationships are essential to your success, as well as to the achievement of your goals. You must build the relationships you need before you need them. You must network now, or you’ll be kicking yourself later! I hope you’re excited to learn the most effective networking strategies to develop your personal power, advance your career, better connect with others, and become a better you. The networking tips and tricks you’re about to read have been proven to create positive, long-lasting results. All you have to do to develop your dream network is to keep reading. Each chapter will give you new insight as you strive to establish a robust web of powerful connections. Take control of your life right now, use the powerful strategies you’re about to learn responsibly, and enjoy the new life you’re creating.