As the year ends, there are many things we can reflect on.
I’ve been reading a lot lately about professional connections.
The ideas on how and why we build them and keep them strong.
I went into 2024 wanting to foster more connections.
People I’ve worked closely with and those I’ve just met or never met.
So, as the year is ending, I decided to do a networking audit.
My Story
Looking back, here’s what I found:
There were 43 digital coffee chats.
24 In-person coffee or lunch meetings.
3 Networking events.
4 Mastermind group sessions.
In addition, as a solopreneur I’ve also realized the importance of community.
To serve as regular connection, I had three standing meetings a week.
All with different people and holding different purposes.
The 10 people across these groups have held me accountable and been my support system.
My Insights
When you see the numbers in front of you, they start to tell a story.
I probably spent 50-60 hours networking.
While this seems like a lot, the gifts of these connections are priceless.
Each conversation gave me an idea, an insight, a new connection, or a new perspective.
I hope each of them left the conversation with an idea of their own.
I also realize how organic the process was this year.
As we move into 2025, I might consider how to be more intentional with my networking plan.
Or I might just let it emerge in its own way as it did this year.
Your Turn
Have you ever looked back on the networking you did in a year?
When you think about 2024, how would you rate your connections?
Did you do a good job or was it something you overlooked?
How might you approach networking in the year ahead?