MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors

Connecting two people in the professional world not only benefits those being introduced to each other, but can also bring long-term advantages to the connector.
When we become a “hub” for our networks, we are able to broker new relationships that give us new levels of trust– and put us in positions to be looked at as someone who solves complex problems. We are looked at as a short-cut- and people love shortcuts.

The trick here is to operate with a “pay it forward” mentality first. Seek out opportunities to help others; to connect them to others in your network. Former Workday Head of Talent Greg Pryor ends most calls by saying “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

This helps you harness the power of reciprocity. When you need new connections, you’ll have a network of people you’ve previously helped who will be more than willing to offer their time and energy to support you.

Here are some tips to being a great connector:

1. The Email Formula: Perfect your email introductions to create a sense of opportunity and excitement. One expert suggest writing two paragraphs—one for each person– He describes what they do, why he thought of them, and how they’re perfect to connect on this particular thing. And he always puts the person who stands to gain more from the interaction last, queuing them up to initiate contact, which he always urges them to do relatively quickly.
2. “Worst Intro Ever”: A poorly executed introduction can not only doom a connection before it even begins– it can result in a hugely negative feeling between everyone involved and hamper existing relationships. Be clear, concise, and directly to the point when it comes to making a possible connection.
3. Bon Appétit: To make connections less awkward, add food. To enhance your reputation as a connector, you can invite possible connections for drinks or food. One of the article’s sources likes to connect like-minded people by throwing small events, crafting guest lists by thinking about common hobbies, hometowns and the ratio of introverts to extroverts.

By becoming a “connection hub” for others, you’ll always have the resources and support you need when facing a professional challenge.

All too often, our memories of our experiences or vacations are shaped by the final impression they leave. This is called The Recency Effect.

The Recency effect stems from our short-term memory’s inability to hold on to more than a small amount of information at once. It is what causes us to remember the final moments of a memory more vividly than anything else.

Understanding the Recency Effect can help us harness it, and turn a good trip into an unforgettable one. As books and films finish on a climax, you too can look at an experience as a narrative and craft it into something that ends with a bang.

“Isn’t traveling like telling yourself a story?” says writer Lee Goldberg. “There’s a beginning, middle and an end. You know what you’re going in for, you have an idea of what to expect, and there are twists along the way. But ultimately you want the big payoff, the big finale.”

Experts say you can strategically trigger the Recency Effect, creating lasting memories throughout by breaking a trip into smaller segments. One source notes that when she and her husband divided their Italy trip into three parts—Rome, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast—it allowed for multiple “endings” and more vivid experiences.

However, the recency effect can backfire– you never know when you’re going to encounter an unexpected inconvenience or miscue in your trip’s final moments. One source has combated this with a ritual of collecting trinkets throughout the trip. At a trip’s end, she is able to spend time reminiscing about each experience on its own.