The world’s a different place than when Richard Branson first started selling records out of the back of his car, and the internet is a large part of that. But when it comes down to it, you still need people to help you get where you want to go. I tried for a year to get my photography website up, sitting there trying to learn html like some OCD-addled idiot, and not getting anywhere. Then I met mike and he cranked out my website in 3 days. We sat next to each other passing ideas back and forth and somehow it always ended up being 5 am when we were at our creative best.

We had fun, most of all. And those are the kind of connections you need. That’s the networking that’s important to me: finding someone to work with who brings out the humor, the fun, and the daring in you. I’m talking about those people you can talk to and get excited with, about ideas and more. They just make you feel right. Mike is passionate and raw (loud and blunt, most people would say). He’s emotional and can infect you with his energy. Combining our strengths, we get stuff done. And it feels good to be working on stuff that you’re excited about.

Sometimes it’s hard to connect with people. Maybe it’s the culture, that coffee shop, your mood. But sometimes there are those that just draw you to them, they have that energy that leaves some left over for you. The Economist article goes on to mention that the mba today is teaching people how to harness the innovative resources that should be present in every thriving business. That means “creating an environment which encourages new ideas and approaches“. Right now, for me, that means meeting and connecting and creating with as many interesting people as I can find.

Problem is, most encounters leave me frustrated. Most people disappoint when you take a closer look. They’re only healthy in small doses. They’re all fire and color when they pass you at 50 mph but then when you chase them down, question them, try to dig deeper, there seems to be nothing there. They laugh and take swipes at those who put their heart out there and really push themselves by not being afraid to question and make fools of themselves.

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