Although he never said it, my grandfather, John Galgon, had hoped for grandsons. My sister and I were the closest he ever got. Growing up, I wasn’t a very good “tomboy” because I liked wearing dresses and avoided getting dirty at all costs. This did not bother my grandfather. He loved to fish and was eager to have a companion so he would drag my sister and I around to all of his favorite fishing spots. Whenever it rained, my grandfather would dress me in my little yellow poncho and we would walk out to the back yard with our flashlights and look for earthworms so he would have fresh, live bait. (At the time, I thought all kids did this. Now I realize that it was just me.)

Many people think that the most important part of fishing is catching the fish. My grandfather knew better. Because preparation is the key to reaping great rewards in business & in life, he created a fishing checklist. Tackle box, check; vest, check; live bait, check; two poles, check; extra line, check; and the net. The net. After loading it all up into the trunk of his baby blue Buick sedan, Grandpop examined the net for any holes or tears.

Net-W.O.R.K-ing is about building relationships or as my dear friend, Troy Adams, would say - business partnerships. Marketing your business through networking means that you are looking to meet people who can use your services or know someone who can. And, you are always selling more than a product or service, you’re selling an image - your image. You are asking people to trust you to use your product or service or refer you to someone else who will. In networking, you are the net.

As a leadership coach and consultant, I spend much of my time helping my clients learn how to effectively network thus increasing their network. After all, leadership is about influencing others and if there isn’t anyone in your sphere to influence, chances are there isn’t anyone following what you’re doing. You get where I’m going, don’t you? No followers means you’re not really a leader. So, while the net is necessary to catch the big fish, it isn’t enough. You still need the W.O.R.K.

So what is the W.O.R.K? In next month's Upside Thinker, I'll talk about just that, sharing my system of how to do the W.O.R.K. in net-W.O.R.K- ing, guaranteeing that it will produce amazing opportunities. Until then, ride the "upside"!

Did you know?
The country noted throughout the world for its raininess is Great Britain. The reputation is partly deserved because of the frequency of rain driven into the country by the south-western trade winds following the warm gulf stream currents. Areas along the western sea-board can receive between 40 inches (sea-level) and 200 inches (mountains) of rain per year!

In the United States, the one city stereotyped for its rain is Seattle, Washington. Contrary to popular belief, rain does not fall perpetually on the city year round. Rain is common in the winter, but mostly the climate is cloudy with little rain. Seattle's average rainfall is 37 inches per year, less than New York City, but 60% of its days are completely overcast (compared to 40% in New York).

– Excerpt taken from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain.