What is the watermelon credo and how does it apply to networking? Read below to find out!
Networking is a person to person activity, we meet, we talk and we share pleasantries with one another. When we meet and start the process of building a business relationship we are looking for people who energize us, people we want to be around. Now and then we meet people we wish we did not have to spend and time with. They have a negative attitude and readily spread it around, which rubs off on everyone.
Wally Amos, founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company, wrote a book in 1996 calledWatermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life. He wrote the Watermelon Credo and as I was reading it, I realized more than ever how it applied to our lives and our networking activities.
W-Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.
As a business networker, you have to believe that others are willing to help you succeed and root for your success.
A-Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. When you are networking, you will attract more people who want to be around you when you are positive and supportive.
T-Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. Networking only happens with more than one person. Each helping the other by building trust and making connections with one another is the key to success.
E-Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. Enthusiasm makes you fun to refer to, people want to be with you, to help you.
R-Respect yourself, as well as others. When you begin to respect yourself, your whole world changes. If you want others to make connections for you then they must have respect for you. That will not happen if you do not respect yourself.
M-Make commitment, not excuses. You have to build credibility with people if you are going to create a strong network but unfortunately credibility is often destroyed because people make excuses for what they have not done or did not d0. Live up to your commitments and build credibility with the people around you.
E-Everyday can be a fun day. Make your networking activities fun, something you enjoy doing, not something you dread. Make a game of it, smile and enjoy yourself.
L-Love is the answer. Whatever the question, love is the answer. When you love what you do, it comes through as passion. People will be drawn to you, they will want to know your secret, they will want to be part of your network.
O-One day at a time. All of life happens in increments of one. Building a strong network means adding one person at a time and building a relationship with them. This creates a win/win relationship for all.
N-Never give up or become a victim. Regardless of the economy you can create success as long as you understand that you are the victor and not the victim. No one cares to hang out with the victim, push forward with a positive attitude.
We have the power to create great success when we help others do the same thing. When you remember the principles of watermelon you will attract people who want to be part of your network, who want to help you create the success you are looking for.
