Never Eat Alone. By Keith Ferrazzi.

“You’ll get the most from this book if your desire to learn is exceeded only by your willingness to act.” – Keith Ferrazzi

I was so blessed—and challenged—by this book. 

Back in December I met a wonderful woman who graciously met with me over coffee. We’d never met before, but we connected immediately. The conversation went from our work history to school to personal growth and development. We connected over many things, and, of course, we talked about books. I love talking about what people are reading. I took a speed reading course so I could read as much as possible. However, I find that I still can’t read fast enough to keep up with all the amazing books in the world.

Then she recommended Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. 

I’d never heard of it before, but I knew this one was going on my list.

Then she did something completely amazing. She mailed me this book. Actually, she ordered 4 books for me. 

What a gift! To give someone a book, opening up opportunities to mentor, even at a distance. I have so many mentors who will never know how they’ve invested in my life. And some, that probably could never have guessed their books would still be mentoring years later—even hundreds of years later.

And it came at the perfect time.

By now, you probably know I was laid off at the end of January. By the time this blog goes live, I’ll hopefully have another job. I’m not completely sure yet, but it’s possible.

Right after I found out my budget for buying books was cut, these books showed up.

Right when I needed to learn the power of relationships, networking and people, this book showed up. And I devoured this book as if I’d been wandering around in the Sahara desert without nourishment for days.

Yes, that is a good description. It was both refreshing and nourishing.

Actually, there is so much in this book. If anyone is looking for the 411 on networking, look no further, Keith Ferrazzi has it all. 

Dinner parties? Check. Cold calls? Yep. Birthday cards. Of course! 

But the most important part—is what you do after its done. Keith Ferrazzi shares the above quote right at the beginning. It all comes down to what happens when you put the book down.

I almost didn’t want to put the book down because I almost didn’t want to start cultivating the network of people I’ve been able to meet. 

Action matters, and living out this book matters—especially now. He says elsewhere that 56% of new jobs come from your network. Not Indeed. Not LinkedIn. Not submitting 700 resumes, nor 500 interviews.

It’s people. It’s relationships. 

That’s what matters above all other work. Building relationships. 

Ferrazzi shares endless examples to network, work with people, and how to warm up those cold calls. But at the end, he reminds us all that building a network for the sake of the network isn’t the end goal. It’s not to have 5000 friends on Facebook. 

It’s to have the fullest life possible.

People make our life full. People make your life full.

And that challenged me the most. At a time when I’m thinking I have to bear down and get to work, sending endless resumes until I can get an interview, I so easily forgot my greater calling, one that I share on the front page of this site: connection over content. 

I want to connect with people, and make their lives better—to make your day better. And if I can do that one day at a time, I know I’ll be living the fullest life possible.

“Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so the world will at least be a little bit different for our having passed through it.” – Keith Ferrazzi

In a day and age where sometimes I think I’m connecting with people just because I’m on the same social media platform, it’s helpful to remember the skills of how to truly connect.

Like I did when I received this book. I met with a person, over coffee, and we shared life. I am looking forward to many more connections like that—adding value to both of our lives through connection.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – anthropologist, Margaret Mead

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