Connect the dots that will lead to success

I love connecting the dots in my life to figure out how an opportunity or event came about. Do you do this too? This helps me stop and be thankful to the people who helped get me where I am. Here is an example of this.

Back in 2007, I attended my first SXSW Interactive festival. I saw an invitation to an opening night party at a bar in Austin. I didn't know too many people attending but I mustered up the courage to go there for a drink. As luck would have it, I met many amazing people including the awesome Jason Falls.

I immediately enjoyed Jason for his Southern charm, colorful language, social media smarts and hillbilly attitude. Don't let his brashness fool you — he's a truly brilliant, empathetic guy. Jason went on to write one of my favorite social media marketing books with Erik Deckers, called "No B.S. Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide to Social Media Marketing."

Jason and I had known each other on social media but were meeting for the first time that night. I'm a big believer in relationships growing when handshakes, high-fives and hugs happen.

Several years later, Jason was running his conference, Explore. He invited me to speak on the topic of networking with social media. During one of the breaks, I noticed a woman looking bored who was running a sponsor table. The sponsor was Que Publishing, who published Jason's book.

Keeping true to my word on networking, I approached her and made some small talk. I had no intention to pitch her my book idea. In fact, I had never articulated the idea before. But it was this chance encounter that led to my book, "New Business Networking," getting published.

My book about networking was born because I was networking at Jason's conference. Connecting the dots further, I now realize I might not have been at Explore were it not for networking with Jason online and at SXSW.

Try this for yourself. Connect the dots to a milestone in your career. Looking for more networking inspiration? Don't miss my all new networking email newsletter: tips.networkingfornicepeople.com.

Dave Delaney is digital marketing consultant, professional speaker, author of New Business Networking, and is passionate about helping you grow your business and improve your career. Don't be shy; say hi at NetworkingForNicePeople.com.