Motivation – It is easiest to be motivated at the start of something new, but that motivation quickly wears off, especially when what you’re working towards doesn’t have immediate gratification. Networking falls in this bucket since it requires a long-term commitment and no quick guarantees of tangible benefits. This is why it is critical to have a strong “networking why.” Reminding yourself why you’re choosing to focus on networking and what benefits it can generate will help you keep it a priority. In addition, you need to constantly remind yourself of how important it is to your long-term success to keep your motivation up. Staying motivated will keep you on track and help you find success.

Decision Making – We are faced with so many decisions on a day-to-day basis, and it can be challenging to know what to do if you don’t have a clear “why.” For example, let’s say you are an accountant that started out networking to learn more about the different career paths within accounting. Now, when it comes time to get out and meet people, you are faced with the question, “Who should I meet with?”. Because you are clear about your “why,” the answer is simple. You need to focus on meeting with accounting professionals in different areas of the industry. Not lawyers, not bankers, etc. Immediately, you have guidance on where to go. While this is a very basic example, it illustrates how knowing your “why” can aid you in the decision-making process and make you more likely to succeed at achieving your goal.