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5 Things To Remember When Reaching Out To Your Network

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Have you ever wanted something, but weren’t been sure about how exactly to get it? Sure you have, everyone has, whether it was getting to the cookie jar when you were a little kid or starting that new business. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is ask. Ask for help, guidance, support, funding — whatever it is you want, don’t be afraid to ask.

It all comes down to how you ask for whatever it is that you want. In December of 2015 I found out that billionaire serial entrepreneur Nik Halik was hosting an exclusive mastermind session on the remote island of Vanuatu. I wanted to be a part of that experience, so I did the most logical thing — I asked. However, there’s a bit more to it than just asking; many times you can’t just ask outright for what you want, particularly if it’s going to require some amount of effort from the party you’re asking. That will be seen as off-putting at best and rude at worst.

So maybe you know what you want, and you’re going to have to ask for something in order to get it, whether it’s the support of your friends, funding from investors, or an invitation to a party. This article will dish the secrets of how you can ask in a way that’s most likely to open that door for you — and maybe even a few others you didn’t realize were there!

Here are 5 tips that will help you when reaching out:

1. Make your message or story stick out

If you’re going to be asking for something, you need to have your story down. You need to be able to present who you are, what you want, and why you’re asking that specific person or organization for it. This is adaptable depending on who you’re asking and what you’re asking them for, of course.

If all you want is support from your friends and family for that new diet or exercise regime, then you won’t need to be so formal. However, if you’re launching that new business and need funding, your potential investors are going to want to know about the person behind the ask.

“Certainly all historical experience confirms the truth- that man would not have attained the possible unless time and again he had reached out for the impossible.” – Max Weber

2. Find a way to bring value whenever possible

Everything in life is give and take. If you’re asking someone to give something to you, you should be able to tell that person why it benefits them as well. Take a job application for example – if you want to get your dream job, you’re going to have to apply, which is just a very formal way of asking for it.

From your resume to your interview, you’re going to have to make it clear that hiring you isn’t just about your dreams and what you want, but that you will bring value to the organization in a manner that it would otherwise lack. Of course sometimes what you’re asking for really will just be a one-way transaction, but you may find surprising ways of making someone’s generosity pay off for them!

 

3. Know who you’re contacting

When you are reaching out to people, especially through an avenue such as email, you need to be able to customize your message. Make sure it fits with their values and beliefs. This means doing your homework and getting to know the person you are reaching out to.

Make sure your message is tailored, specifically to them. If they think you are sending the same type of message to every person you come in contact with, they likely won’t give you the time of day.

“I believe that we were meant to live as social creatures, to reach out and bless each other’s lives.” – Richard Paul Evans

4. Be authentic

If you are not authentic, people will see right through you. You need to be honest and authentic. People who are in power to open doors and give favors have likely seen it all before. They know the difference between someone who is authentic and someone who is being fake to get ahead.

This is just another part of crafting your story; you need to come off as sincere. Just be yourself and be forthcoming about what you want. Dishonesty can really only have negative repercussions here, because even if you do get what you want, there’s always the chance that it could come back to bite you in the future, which is simply not worth the risk.

 

5. Have a call to action

This is just a fancy way of dressing up your “ask.” This is a polite nudge for the party you’re addressing to grant you what you want. In your cover letter for a job, you would end by saying that you look forward to hearing from the hiring manager. That’s a clear sign that you’re asking for a response.

The key with a call to action is that it has to just be a nudge, you can’t say “so please give me X.” Unless you’re dealing with close friends or family, that’s the quickest way to get shut down. Rather, you politely suggest the outcome you would like — “I look forward to speaking with you about how I might be able to accompany you on your trip” — and let the ball rest thoroughly in their court.

“Do not fear mistakes.You will know failure. Continue to reach out.” – Benjamin Franklin

These guidelines can be applied to any sort of request, whether it’s for an invitation to an exclusive mastermind, funding for your next big project, or simply support on a commitment like exercising or eating healthy. Many people are afraid to ask because of the possibility of rejection, but the doors you can open just by asking for something might also surprise you.

Who are you going to reach out to? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Erik Wilson is a serial entrepreneur who is involved with many philanthropic endeavors and is continually devoted to making the world a more positive place. He is the founder and CEO of Pozify, a social networking app devoted to spreading positivity across the web.

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True leaders don’t just speak their values, they live them, proving that integrity is the foundation of lasting influence.

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9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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