1. Look past the messenger and focus on the message.
When people speak from a position of power or authority or fame, it’s tempting to place greater emphasis on their input, advice, and ideas.

2. Focus on collecting knowledge…
Competing is a fact of professional life: with other businesses, other products, other people. It’s not a zero sum game, but it is a game we all try to win.

Smart people win a lot. Smarter people win even more often. Striving to gain more experience, more experience, and more knowledge is the second-best way to succeed.

3. …But focus more on collecting knowledgeable people:
You can’t know everything. But you can know enough smart people that together you know almost everything.

4. Give before receiving:
The goal of networking is to connect with people who can provide a referral, help make a sale, share important information, serve as a mentor, etc. When we network, we want something.

But, especially at first, never ask for what you want. Forget about what you want and focus on what you can give.
Giving is the only way to establish a real relationship and a lasting connection. Focus solely on what you can get out of the connection and you will never make meaningful, mutually beneficial connections.

5. Always work on next:
It’s impossible to predict what will work, much less how well it will work. Some products stick–for a while. Some services flourish–and then don’t. Some ventures take off–and flame out. You will always need a next: a new product, a new service, a new customer or connection.

No matter how successful you are today, always have a next in your pipeline. If somehow your current products or services or ventures continue to thrive, great: You will have created a bigger line of products and services and ventures. That’s how successful people weather the storm when times are tough, and become even more successful when business is booming.

6. Eat as many of your words as you can:
If you’re always right you never grow. When you look back, one of the best things to be is wrong because when you make a mistake you are given the chance to learn.

7. Turn ideas into actions:
The word “idea” should be a verb, not a noun, because no idea is real until you turn that inspiration into action. Ideas without action aren’t ideas. They’re regrets.

Every day we let hesitation and uncertainty stop us from acting on our ideas. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure are what stop me, and may be what stops you, too.

8. Learn about squirrel nests:
Yeah, you’re hyper-focused. Yeah, you’ve got your head down and your blinders on. Yeah, you’re a 24/7, take no prisoners, failure is not an option gal or guy. Occasionally we all need to lighten up. (Time 3/11/13)