These 4 Habits Will Boost Your Connections

I’ve always heard it takes 21 days to form a habit.

Author James Clear points out it could actually take closer to two months. Either way, if you’re committed and dedicated to incorporating a certain practice into your routine, you can make it happen!

Take networking, for example. Many people don’t consider making it a habit. But you should. It’s important to designate time to develop meaningful connections. This helps you create strong networks that offer many mutual benefits, both professionally and personally.

Here are four relationship-building habits that I’ve found extremely successful as part of my own repertoire. I encourage you to integrate them into your regular schedule! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

“Habits are not a finish line to be crossed, they are a lifestyle to be lived.”

James Clear

HABIT #1: ESTABLISH GOALS

Make it a habit to get (and keep!) your networking goals in order.

Write down a specific list of what you want to accomplish. Looking to bring in a certain number of clients this quarter? Create a plan to do some research and send invites to connect on LinkedIn. Considering a career change? Set goals to reach out to people in your desired industry and speak with them about your anticipated switch and ask for their insight and advice.

Be sure to make changes as needed. For instance, once you get a new job, you can shift your goals to networking and forming a rapport with colleagues and prospective customers and vendors.

HABIT #2: DESIGNATE 30 MINUTES

Make it a habit to work in blocks of time.

A half an hour… that’s all it really takes! This is highly recommended and is what The Power Half-Hour is built on. According to Thomas Corley’s Rich Habits Study, nearly 90% of those who are self-made rich devoted 30 minutes a day to building relationships. So, try it! Do it first thing in the morning when you normally have the most energy and usually before other distractions take place. Focus specifically on relationship-building activities such as:

• Pay it forward in five minutes — Perform The Five-Minute Favor and do something that will benefit others in your networks, but without expecting anything in return. In this small amount of time, you can make an impact by facilitating an introduction, providing a LinkedIn endorsement, or sharing a blog post on social media.

• Just reach out — Send invitations to connect on LinkedIn. Write emails to simply say hello or check in on a friend’s home improvement project. Send a quick text message and let someone know you’re thinking of them.

• Get out and mingle — Take this time to esearch and sign up for networking events and social gatherings. Or look for volunteer or charity activities which align with your specific goals and interests.

• Perform the Gratitude Challenge — Extend appreciation toward those in your networks who have highly influenced you.

• Increase your relationship-building knowledge — Read articles, check out different tools and online training, or listen to podcasts geared toward expanding your networking skills.

HABIT #3: MIND YOUR MINDSET

Make it a habit to be in a networking mindset.

You must approach relationship-building with a proper state of mind. This helps you find and create long-lasting and meaningful connections. I’m sure you’ve been in situations where you went into it with the wrong attitude, whether you meant to or not, and this affected the outcome. But when you make a point to be present in the moment and adopt the right mindset, you will have a positive influence. And achieve more favorable results when making connections!

HABIT #4: HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

Make it a habit to hold yourself responsible for carrying out relationship-building activities.

Or you can go one step further and invite someone to be your Accountability Partner! This person will make a point to check in with you at a specified time and provide support as you reach to achieve your networking goals. We dive further into this in our certification course where we offer a formal Accountability Partner contract to be signed that you can learn more about and enroll in here.

“If you believe you can change — if you make it a habit — the change becomes real.”

Charles Duhigg

Taking the time to improve your spheres of influence is more effective when it’s part of your routine. In the beginning, it may seem like work. But don’t forget that it is called netWORKing! And once you’ve made it a habit to perform certain tasks, they become automatic and instinctive. As said by author Charles Duhigg: “If you believe you can change — if you make it a habit — the change becomes real.”

It isn’t often that people think of relationship-building as a habit. But once you’ve made the commitment, and dedicate time each day to incorporate networking activities into your routine, you will notice improvements in your life as you cultivate robust and healthy networks.