You win some, you lose some.

And you learn some.

Sure, you can gain insight from triumph.

The winning proposal.

The closed deal.

The successful presentation.

You’ll likely learn more from the misses.

What didn’t go so well?

What was the feedback?

What would you do differently next time?

So, the review, the hotwash, the debrief, the evaluation.

Whatever you call it … ensure you do it.

It is the learnings that are invaluable.

“If you don’t look back on yourself and think, ‘Wow how stupid I was a year ago,’ then you must not have learned much in the last year.” – Ray Dalio, author of “Principles”.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

You could help if they wanted to be helped.

You could make an impact if they would only let you.

You can make the time if they would give it.

You would jump at the opportunity if they offered it.

You could lead if …

… wait!

“They” don’t need to give you permission to lead.

Start where you are now and lead from there.

“True leadership always begins with the inner person.” – John c. Maxwell

“Leadership is not a position or title, it is action and example.” – Robin Sharma

You will need to do the work.

The good parts … and the bad.

Not all the work will be important and challenging.

You will need to apply yourself to the modest and mundane too.

Doing great work, no matter the work, demonstrates a work ethic.

You can’t simply turn it on, only when the good stuff comes along.

Whatever the work requires, do it well.

That way you will be ready to do great work … anytime.

“Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.” – Sir Henry Royce

“Do the work. Everyone wants to be successful, but nobody wants to do the work.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

You have a network.

But your network is not about you.

It’s about them.

You must give before you receive.

So how can you strengthen your network?

Understand the needs of the network.

Provide benefit and deliver value.

Be accessible and approachable.

Connect and introduce others.

Follow up and stay in touch.

Get active and be proactive.

Provide referrals.

Share opportunities.

Reciprocate.

Be genuine and sincere.

Sure, you will need to call on the network.

But you will only get out what you put in.

“It’s not called net-sitting or net-eating.  It’s called networking.  You have to work at it.” – Ivan Misner