Find Your 9others

A very simple way to do this is to literally write down, on a piece of paper or in a document, what you can offer. Next, in a list alongside it, write down with whom you want to strengthen your connection. Then, think of ways to make the first list appealing to the second, both as a whole and individually.

What do I really want? Is it fame, money, awards, self-satisfaction? Any of these things are perfectly fine, but you need to know what it is for you and for your business, and the most ambitious have something deeper.

Unreasonable success and how to achieve it: Unlocking the nine secrets of people who changed the world by Richard Koch (2022)

The point of maintenance is to keep the network alive by making yourself memorable (even the most striking haircut can’t manage that alone) and by always being in a position to seek, or indeed offer, help or other support.

Why am I doing what I’m doing? Ask yourself this and, when you have an answer, ask yourself ‘why’ again. Several times if needed. Ask ‘why’ until you can’t ask ‘why’ anymore. What you will find at the end of that journey will be a clear mission.

Anything you want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur by Derek Sivers (2022)

Becks Armstrong

What gaps do I have in my network? If you can identify gaps, then you can make a plan to fill them. At which point, think about when you’re going to tackle these gaps, where you’ll find people and how you’ll get into the right situations.

What 9others does – and what we believe any good sounding board for founders should do – is provide a place where people can both listen and be listened to.