Maroon Ventures Blog

Posted by Mike Higgins

Years ago I learned the story of the three stages of professional development. It goes something like this.
As a young person in high school you look around and notice the people that know a lot seem to be ahead of the game. So you learn that “its what you know” that makes you successful in life.
Several years go by, you are now late in your college years, and you notice that the people that are getting ahead maybe have good knowledge and maybe they don’t. And you also notice that the people moving on are well networked and seem to get along well with others. So you learn the next level, its not what you know, its “who you know”.
And now even more years go by. You have been operating under the guise of who you know for some time when you realize that still others seem to be advancing faster than yourself. You notice the more successful folks seemed to be contacted more, almost sought after for their knowledge, skill and connections. It then occurs to you; its not what you know or who you know, its “who knows you “ that makes you successful.
And that’s where the story ended. And I thought this was accurate. But recently it occurred to me there is more to this story. Something that holds the promise that it’s never too late to try something new or to take a risk. When I reflect on the doors that have opened for me over my career one thing remains constant; every new door that opened was a result of me taking a chance and doing something new. And each time an opportunity presented itself, and I had the good sense to take it, one thing always happened—I met someone new. It was when I met someone new that doors opened wider and new and exciting opportunities presented themselves.
So I have added a new level to the old story, and I let this one guide me:
Its not:
• What you know or
• Who you know or
• Who knows you that will guide your success
• Its who you have yet to meet that will most influence and alter what you are capable of.
None of us are ever too old or too experienced or too well known not to try new things or step through newly opened doors. Never adopt the attitude that you have met enough people or have tried enough new things. Growth is found in new experiences. Getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things, even if they are completely overwhelming, is the fastest path to growth. In these new experiences new relationships will be forged. And in these new relationships are where your most exciting adventures await you.
So next time a door opens, even it doesn’t seem to be a door, take a chance and step through it. Do something you ordinarily wouldn’t do, take a chance, do something that scares you. And prepare to move to new levels in your relationships and life.
My joining Maroon Ventures is the latest door that opened for me. I left the comfort of a job that I truly enjoyed with people I truly cared about. A door to a brand new adventure opened and I took it. And I can’t wait to meet the folks I have yet to meet. I know in them is the success I have been working towards.

Other posts by Mike Higgins

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 at 12:04 am and is filed under Life Reflections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.