"It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know"

Since the beginning, my beginning, my parents have, in their distinct and unobtrusive ways, emphasized that important aspect to great success in life. I was thinking about it today and realized just how effective and essential the networking side of life is to one's opportunities.

As social beings we are expected to interact with one another, to impress, please and challenge; for someone to take this truth and run with it is the best thing they can do to secure their ultimate success in life. If you know the right individuals it isn't important what your knowledge base is, but what your personality type is. The benefit is that personality is broad and knowledge is specific, so you'll have more opportunities if your acceptance/inclusion is based on your personality and character rather than your learned knowledge.

Now don't get me wrong, knowledge is important in many ways and is always a benefit, but on average who you know in life will propel you farther and do it faster than any form of knowledge.

Take for instance, Paris Hilton. She is the heir to a hotel empire, and while successful in advertising herself and her name as a brand, isn't the smartest or most knowledgeable person to grace our planet. She, through her father, his connections and wealth was able to build her own mini empire. Now to be fair, it wasn't Paris Hilton with the marking ideas and know-how, it was a team of marketing and advertising geniuses, but you get my point. Our president George W Bush is another great example, but for the safety of myself I will not go into details.

What I want to get across here is that it is important to take the time and energy to network and build your social web; because no matter how much you learn at school or on the job, it will always be limited by what and how many personal connections you have.

That is my final thought. Now take care of yourself, and each other.

- Mitch G