I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.
Typically, we will hear this in relation to getting a job or promotion, or something else that would put us ahead simply for the fact that there is a relationship advantage.
How many times has that served us, though?
Probably not as often as we’ve seen it serve others or we’d like it to, right?
In his book The Art of Work, Jeff Goins eludes to our calling in life being something we can discern from what our life is trying to tell us based on what we’ve done with it.
If this is the case, then when it really counts, it’s not who you know, it truly boils down to what you know.
Who you know can only get you so far.
Who you know can only get you so far. #whatyouknow Click To Tweet
It may get you in the door, but when you have to produce something, that relationship advantage won’t magically generate a report, finish a project, create something valuable, etc.
While I’m not begrudging any opportunity where someone can help you achieve greater things or get your foot in the door, that will not serve you for the life of your time at that company or organization.
When we focus on knowing people in order to get ahead, we’re focused on the wrong things.
Yes, we need to build relationships, but we also cannot neglect the labor of learning.
Where do you want to go in life?
When you have the answer to that, don’t expect it to happen solely because someone gave you a position, a job, or a title.
Expect it to happen because you’ve taken the time to study, to prepare, to learn.
You have to dig deep into the well of discipline and put into practice those skills you’ve acquired.
What I’ve come to see is that once you have put in the time that it takes in order to obtain the knowledge and skill required to function in an area you desire to work or minister, that time you spent will pay off.
The hard part about this is while we are laboring, we can feel as though it’ll never pay off, it’s not worth it, or we aren’t making as big of strides as we desire.
That’s what is so disheartening sometimes about this myth.
If you are being intentional and putting in the time to grow yourself, it will pay off one day.
Instead of focusing on who we should know, we need to focus on who we are becoming.
Who we are becoming has an impact on who we influence and determines who we reproduce.
Who we are becoming has an impact on who we influence and determines who we reproduce. #nmwi Click To Tweet
Who are you becoming today?
Are you striving to be better than who you were yesterday?
I challenge you to take some time and think about this today.
Write some goals down that will spark creativity or inspiration into the person you are working hard to become.
Are you up for the challenge?
Are you ready to leave the “what if” behind, dispel the myth of “who you know” and become the person you want to be?
What are some challenges you’ve faced in this area? Comment below and share!
