Your Network Isn't Everyone

I write weekly about the strategies, habits, and tactics around cultivating the connections that matter to you.

Let's get something out of the way first - this isn't about being elitist or cutting people off because they aren't "valuable enough." That kind of transactional thinking is exactly what makes networking feel icky.

This is about something much more important: being authentic in your relationships and honest about your own energy and capacity.

I once spent two hours organizing my Tupperware cabinet. Not because I'm obsessed with food storage (though I do have strong opinions about storing lids separately), but because I thought I needed to create a perfect system for everything

Here's the reality: You don't need to (and shouldn't) try to actively maintain relationships with everyone you've ever met. Not because some people matter less as human beings, but because authentic relationships require real energy and attention. Trying to stay deeply connected with everyone is like trying to match every lid to every container in your kitchen - it's not only impossible, it's exhausting.

Why Being Selective Matters

• Your emotional energy is finite. When you spread it too thin, you can't show up authentically for anyone, including yourself.

• Deeper relationships require real investment. Quality over quantity isn't just a cliché - it's the difference between meaningful connections and surface-level networking.

• Some relationships naturally ebb and flow. That's not just okay - it's healthy. Not every connection needs to be actively maintained all the time.

Taking Action

Here's what you can do today to be more authentic with your network:

1. Use the grocery store test: "If I saw this person at the grocery store, would I be excited to catch up with them, or would I duck into the frozen food aisle to avoid them?" This isn't about their status or what they can do for you - it's about the genuine energy between you.

2. Create three simple categories in your CRM or contact list:

• A: People you genuinely enjoy connecting with regularly

• B: Good connections to check in with periodically

• C: Everyone else

3. Focus your proactive relationship maintenance on your A's. These are the people who energize you, who you genuinely want to help, and who you actually want to grab that coffee with.

Remember: This isn't about cutting people off or declaring them unworthy. It's about being honest with yourself about where you can authentically invest your energy. Some relationships will fade into the background - and that's okay. They might resurface later when the timing or context is right.

After all, not every container needs its matching lid to be useful. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a relationship is to let it breathe.

Until next week, Zvi

P.S. By the way, if you're worried that someone has categorized you as a "C" - they probably haven't. Most people are too busy organizing their own Tupperware to spend time ranking others!

On YouTube: Networking Smarter: How a Personal CRM Helps You Stay in Touch

If you’ve ever struggled to keep track of important contacts or lost touch with people you value, a Personal CRM can change the game! In this video, I’ll show you how to use one to build stronger relationships and stay effortlessly connected.

Topics Covered:

• Why a Personal CRM is essential for relationship-building

• The 3 key things a CRM helps you do (Capture, Organize, Resurface)

• How to choose the right CRM for your networking style

• Simple steps to set up and maintain your CRM

• How to use your CRM to stay top of mind and nurture connections

You can see all my videos and interviews on my channel! If you find these helpful, I’d appreciate a like, subscribe, and share with a friend, colleague, or enemy.

If you found this valuable, you might love Relatable. It’s the CRM built from the ground up to help you grow your network, not your business pipeline (but it does that too).