LESSONS FROM THE ANT

A series on lessons from the ant started, and the first part of the series can be read here. The next phase of lessons for the ant:                                      

#2- Networking with intelligence for the future: 
Adage tells us that the future belongs to those who plan today. The ant undestands this distinctly, and that is why their kind of association. Reading about the ants, I've spotted a wisdom—Networking.


The ant makes alliance with other insects, like the mealybug, which helps her harvest honeydew—food for the ant. She creates an association with other ants species, plants and fungi; all tending to get speedily done what she couldn't do alone.

Her network is always mutual: while the fungi manufactures her food, she protects the fungi's nest from bacteria and feeds the fungi, leaving leaves in its nest.

Networking is also spotted in her colony. She networks with her own specie in the same colony, and together, they build a structure that houses and run their affairs, including administrative, in the colony.

Now, what's the lesson from the ant?

The principal word is networking, and in our own world, with human of any race. One's network is a measure of one's networth. Your networth may not be in physical million dollars, but the people you have in your network makes you worth more than the physical million dollars.

Like it is in the IT world where every computer in a network system shares resources seamlessly, so it is in the human network. A stand alone computed has far less content worth compared to when it is in a network system. What every computer in the network has belongs indirectly to the stand alone computer in the network, and that's the computer's networth.

Having this knowledge, it is wisdom to start building your network to grow your networth. It's quite simple: attend seminars and functions, meet people and keep in touch with the people you meet; ask experts in their field, that thrills you, intelligent questions: that way, you are developing their interest in you and pulling them indirectly into your network.

Just like the bacteria in the ant's colony, not everybody is meant to be in your network. If just anybody were in your network, you'll have to keep in touch with "just anybody," which may predate your network and cause you more stress and work load. Make your network of people that add value, like the ant and her fungi friend.

Networking should be mutual. Don't just seek to get, ask yourself what can you offer. A network that's not mutual cannot last long.

Understand that everyone around you is important, unless they prove not to be.

Remember, your network is your networth, and the future belongs to those who plan today.