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Today I went to visit this local lake in Vilnius, Lithuania for my lunch break. The ducks in the picture were also hungry, so tomorrow I will go back and take some seeds to feed them with.
This lake made me think about my approach to networking, which I often refer to with fishing metaphors (although I’ve never gone fishing).
While it might seem like a good idea to go in the Atlantic sea and hope to catch a whale, your chances are slim to none. For me this is like going to every networking event you can think of (and the bigger the better) and hoping to speak to your ideal customer as you float around the venue. Please let me know if that works for you.
I prefer to approach networks where the lake is just the right size and filled with what I want to catch. You still need the right equipment and a bit of luck to catch your ideal customer, but your chances are better there.
Also, I also use this quote to remember to smile…
“When I’d go fishing on the Eno River with my grandfather, he’d always tell me you had to smile and say hi to everyone you saw on the way, otherwise, the fish wouldn’t know to bite. His angling buddies insisted this was a truth: If you didn’t “hold your mouth right” then the fish wouldn’t come.”
Matthew Laakvand, Emma Selby *Flexspace Operator* and 3 others8 Comments-
@Darryl odd you should post this, I have been painting some elements for a new art insallation I am doing and before I started painting I “set my intention” with the piece. The mood or energy I wish to inbue into the work, and that gives me a way to feel like I am somehow connected with it and am merely a conduit for the energy. Sounds weird, and when I tried to paint with gloves on it felt all wrong, and the work looked wrong, bare hands and same intention and it all felt wAAAAAY more organic and in-tune with the pieces. So I totally understand your Grandfather’s thinking.
Lovely thought and lovely calming photo!
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Hi Darryl, I really enjoyed reading your post—what a beautiful way to spend a lunch break! That lake looks so peaceful, and I love that you’re going back with seeds for the ducks—such a kind gesture.
Your fishing metaphor for networking really resonated with me. It’s so true that casting a wide net in a massive sea can feel aimless and overwhelming, especially when you’re hoping for that one perfect connection.
Focusing on the right-sized “lake” with the kind of “fish” you’re actually looking for is a much more intentional (and rewarding) approach. It’s all about finding the communities and spaces where your values align and where your message is more likely to land with the right people.
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful reflection—it’s a great reminder to be more mindful about where and how we invest our time and energy.
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Thanks for posting Darryl – lovely to get a post and a thought from as far away as Lithuania! What a beautiful spot . Good analogy too
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Makes a lot of sense to go fishing in the right pond or lake.
Also, Lithuania! Wow! There is such a diverse and international set of people and businesses on here.
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Love this post – it made me smile too. I am very fond of all lakes and often feed the birds. What a great analogy to networking too…. Smaller groups enable you to be hyper focussed – which in turn should reap better rewards than hunting for that whale!
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Really interesting insight Darryl. With so many choices and options to network every day of the week, finding the right ponds to fish in is key and you soon know when you are in the wrong pond and getting no bites.
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This is fab, thank you Darryl, and it’s good to meet you! I have found with networking that I enter into it with the intention of building a strong and supportive group of people around me. My tribe, that will help support me in business. Not necessarily that I might sell my services to them., but that we can share knowledge and support each other, building mutual trust and increasing awareness. That way I am in the forefront of their mind, as are they in mine, when opportunity arrises. P.S. That lake looks glorious, and I love your grandfathers fishing analogy.
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Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. I’m glad my post ‘landed’ well 😉
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