Work | Network

Work is work, even when you enjoy the work you are doing.

When you enjoy work, you find yourself in “the zone.” “The zone” is where your focus is razor-sharp, and time seems to slip away, and it often happens when you are working on something that is difficult and you have no distractions. For most creatives I know, it’s an awesome place.

With that said, it still can lead to burnout since you’re working your brain. Monitor it like you monitor any other work. 

Your network is a numbers game, especially at first. 

Sometimes, I’m asked how to build a network, especially since I came to New York with no connections. The first thing I recommend doing is picking up this big orange book and reading it. The second thing, start playing the numbers game. 

Now, this doesn’t mean go to a bar (unless it does 😉 ). What this means is to find a few events that are interesting to you, and start meeting people. Make it a game. Try to meet three people and get their email address. Email those people the same day and expand on the conversation.

Ask the ones that return a message to continue the conversation over coffee in the afternoon (if you can get away).

A couple of coffee dates here and there, offer to help in any way and suddenly you know some people you like. There is your foundation.