Old Connections: Network Like a Pro in 2014

Networking isn’t just about meeting new people—be sure to work on those old connections, too. Also: a life lesson from a man who accomplished a lot as his time was running short.

Dust on your Rolodex? Perhaps now’s the time to clear it off.

With 2014 right around the corner, now’s a good time to think about how you connect with the people in your life. It’s not necessarily about meeting new people, either: Now may be a good time to work those old connections.

Thoughts on that and more in today’s Social Media Roundup:

Make Sure You’re Connected

Strategic Planning for 2014 – Connecting http://t.co/jYr3x3j75q  (opens in a new tab) via @CharlotteWeeks  (opens in a new tab) #assnchat  (opens in a new tab) #assn  (opens in a new tab)

— iMIS (@iMISbyASI) December 20, 2013  (opens in a new tab)

Looking to make 2014 the year you make your networking skills unstoppable? Be sure you check out the tips from career coach and author Charlotte Weeks  (opens in a new tab), who offers up a bunch of advice on connecting with the people you don’t know—along with the ones you should know better. “Connecting isn’t necessarily about a new relationship,” she writes. “It could be a relationship that just needs to be strengthened and nurtured. People do business with those they trust and like, why not work with someone that you already know?” Weeks suggests taking a good hard look at your contact list and setting up a lunch meeting or two just to check in with people with whom you want to get better acquainted. Anyone in your Rolodex need a call? (ht @advsol  (opens in a new tab))

Stop Complaining

This. “Complaining Does Not Work as a Strategy” #sachat  (opens in a new tab) #greekchat  (opens in a new tab) #highered  (opens in a new tab) #assnchat  (opens in a new tab) http://t.co/r7AfjSNkTE  (opens in a new tab)

— Mike McRee, Ph.D. (@mikemcree) December 20, 2013  (opens in a new tab)

Focus your negative energy elsewhere: With the holidays near, perhaps now’s a good time to reflect on a little positive thinking. Which is why this classic clip from Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch is worth your time:

Pausch, who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, became famous in 2007 for his iconic “Last Lecture” speech, which he gave less than a year before he died. One of the best lines, surfaced by LifeHacker  (opens in a new tab), is this: “Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.” Sometimes we need to hear that—to know that there are more productive ways to spend our time. Pausch, who became a bestselling author in the year before he died, didn’t spend his time complaining. Instead, he went for it, and reaped some late-inning rewards. (ht @mikemcree  (opens in a new tab))

Any life lessons you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments.

(iStock/Thinkstock)