The Idiots Guide to Using the Experts in Your Life

(Photo by isayx3)

How many people do you know? Do you have a large group of friends or family or even lead the life of a polygamist? Maybe you just have a lot of Facebook friends and you’re damn proud of it. Either way, chances are you know a fair amount of people in the world

Now I am going to assume that by reading my website you are trying to changes in your life (I know I am), and if your not then let me direct you to the perfect world section of your local library you lucky sob. Regardless of whether you are trying to make big changes or small changes, chances are you are in need of tools in order to best help you make these shifts in your life. While I am not speaking of running to your garage and grabbing a vacuum cleaner to suck out fat in an effort to loose weight, I am advocating making use of your large collection of friends that you have.

How can my friends help me do X,Y,Z?

Simply put, there is a damn good chance that your friends have access to knowledge or resources in the areas of their lives that you simply don’t have. Maybe you know a nutritionist, a hockey player, an artist, the list goes on and on. The amazing thing is that despite their own contacts, people constantly bitch about not having the right resources to make the changes in their lives. I want to talk about tapping into the unlimited and powerful information powerhouse that is your social circle and picking their brains in order to better help make powerful changes in your own life.

Lets jump into the rabbit hole a bit

Assume for a moment that you are trying to travel the world. Obviously this would be a big change in your life unless you are reading this blog posting from a netbook in a hammock on top of a hostel. You know this is something you need to do, but what’s the first step? Well you could dive right in and buy a ticket and get the hell out of dodge. While I love the initiative behind taking massive action so quickly, chances are you are going to screw around and research a bit before making such a life altering leap. You may turn to the internet, television, magazines, books, and while those are all awesome resources *cough* especially gabrielhummel.com *cough* there is something strong to be said for reaching out to someone who has experience in what you are trying to do and chatting with them for an extended amount of time.

Now at first glance this is obvious, “Of course I would talk to someone like that Gabriel, what do you think? That I am some sort of moron?” Alas I do not think anyone is a moron, but what will surprise you is that these friends of yours rarely get tapped into for advice.  Of course you are likely to reach out to your best friend who builds computers for a living and rack his brain on what new shinny Macbook you should buy, but what If you aren’t close friends with the person? This is where a disconnect happens.

You may know a friend of a friend, who has traveled the world and seen over 100 countries, but he may not know you and you don’t really know him. In fact, your only connection to him is a mutual friend who you aren’t even close with anymore because he was friends with your ex girlfriend, or you had a class with him in college, etc. Chances are, you are not going to reach out and ask this guy for his advice. This is retarded. You know that he would offer great insight into this big shift you are about to make, hell he might even have some solid contacts to pass onto you for your long journey. None of this matters though, chances are, and you will trust your downloaded ebook on world travel over reaching out to this unknown figure.

There could be a number of reasons for this. Pride, guilt, shame, “I know it all” syndrome, and a plethora of other factors could prevent you from reaching out and finding the resources you need in your already abundant group of misfit friends. You need to stop caring so much about what people think and make the effort to reach out to people at these critical junctions in your life. Who cares if you don’t really know the guy! I can practically guarantee that if you attempt to contact them (even through your mutual friend) that they would be eager to meet up with you and tell you all about their story and their experience (See Why You Should Talk to Strangers) Anyone who is an expert or has a lot of experience in some field will be eager to share information, it’s just human nature.

Even if you do even know anyone remotely who has any experience in the area of your life that you are trying to make changes, reach out and ask people. Put a posting on Facebook asking if anyone know a friend who knows a lot about fitness. Ask your coworkers if anyone in the office is proficient with computers. Ask your teachers and family if they have any business contacts that might offer advice on how to get your own company started up. The options are limitless.

If you are already on top of this and making full use of your social circle, then let me internet high five you right now. If you are not, then get on the band wagon. Get over any of the potential shortcomings, social awkwardness, and worrying that might be running rampart through your mind and simply reach out to the people in your life who have already walked and talked the path your are about to embark on.

Gabirel