There’s something called “Social Capital” in life. The people you know; the individuals you encounter, and how they know you.
Social capital relates to the existing resources in and through the business and personal networks.
These resources include information, ideas, leadership, business opportunities, financial capital, power and influence, support for emotion, even kindness, trust, and cooperation.
Social capital emphasizes that those tools are not personal assets; they are not held by any single person. The re roots exist in friendship networks. When you consider human capital to be what you know (the amount of your own expertise, skills and experience), so access to social capital depends on the size, consistency and complexity of your personal and company.
However, social capital also relies on who you are linked to indirectly through the use of your networks.
Social capital is productive, like human capital or financial capital: it enables us to create value, accomplish things, achieve our goals, fulfill our missions in life, and make our contributions to the world.
Without it, no one can be successful – or even survive. But many people believe that without social capital they should be able to get along; they mistake “going it alone” as the prescription for success.
Others pretend to thrive without social capital, secretly using it as if it were inappropriate or even unethical.
These attitudes and beliefs are ingrained in the misconception of individualism: the cultural conviction that everybody succeeds or fails on the basis of individual efforts and abilities
This myth is so strong — and such a barrier to attaining success via social capital — that we need to address it head on.Social capital, despite the myth of individualism, is an important part of achieving success in life, success in business as well as a contented and fulfilling life.
Alas, most people assume that social capital is only needed for weddings and burials.
This is why you see someone hasn’t tried to contact you in ten years but they’re going to send you a message out of the blue, “Hello so and so, looooong time. By the way, my pre-wedding is next Sunday. I need your support!”
Social capital is not built overnight; it is cumulative and needs no money to build (especially in this digitally connected world).
Social capital is massively important, and it can make a very big difference to one’s quality of life when properly built and utilized.
It can save you money, make you money, provide you a decent job, make life easier and happier, help you avoid jail, or save your life: save effort and time, and make life more comfortable and successful.
Please learn how to connect with people within your networks as we progress through the year. Check out friends, give an anniversary note to someone, check their accounts and reflect on something constructive and encouraging.
Choose your computer, and call or write to someone. It could be your relative, colleague, former schoolmate, former or present boss, CEO, parents, etc.
It’s important to develop a relationship with people to develop your social capital. But even if they don’t respond, stay in touch, at least, and don’t just reach out when you need them.
More significantly, love everybody in life regardless of their status and be there when others need you. Be a remedy, a catalyst and an inspiration. Prevent being a nagger, a leech, or a consumer.
Just be a good person who keeps in contact with people in a genuine way and brings happiness, motivation and hope.
The most valuable asset in life that you have is not your job, money or title; its people.