If Frankl is right, and a key way to find meaning is through relationship with others, then the cultivation and maintenance of your network becomes a critical skill.
Most of your 10 year visions included some aspect of relationship building. And when you created your vision plans, you identified relationships that you need to develop in order to achieve them.
While it’s possible to build and nurture relationships without a system, it’s far more likely you’ll be successful with it by getting it into a system you trust. I believe the effort invested in building a relationship management system is worth it.
Again, the tool doesn’t matter. I use Dex. One of the best networkers I’ve ever met uses a spreadsheet. All that matters is you like it and you consistently use it.
One of my goals is to have as many “funeral worthy” relationships as possible. I believe that’s a function of either:
I have a couple of approaches I use here:
My VIPs are the most important people in my life (outside of my family). I spend a disproportionate amount of time with them.
My 5 are the people who have an acute need or are going through a hard time. I move people into my five throughout the year, and I resolve to try and show up for them as best I can. This could mean they’re looking for a job, or they are starting a business, or they are going through a health issue, or whatever.
Advisors are like your support structure, allowing you to do accomplish what you want to accomplish with your life. Examples include: