The older I get the more I realize that the secret to being a success is really who you know. Politicians are an example of this, it's what some might call a "Good Ole' Boys network" where everyone has reached this tier and if you're on the in, it's much easier to remain there. Oh sure, people can succeed and thrive by pure awesome or skill or innovation, but there are easier ways.

To visualize, consider life's achievements as a mountain with tiers or levels, involving lots of climbing and sure you could hoist your petard up there with enough umph, or you could look for someone standing on the ledge who is willing to reach down and pull you up. You might have to make promises, cut deals, or smile real pretty - but that is worth the saved effort.

This is what brought the topic to mind:

Word came about a possible partner for the podcast and so I've been trying to get the guy on the phone for over two weeks, and he has just been elusive. I've kept missing him at the office and he hasn't returned any calls. So when I mention this to my cohost, Lee, he pulls out his phone and calls the guy's store, talks with the store manager who calls the owner on his cell and gets permission to give us his cell phone number. All in all, less than five minutes.

Now it's still up to me to get him on the cell phone, a call I'll place later today, but I'm this much closer to closing a deal.

When Lee got off the phone and got us the number, I just shook my head at how easy he did it. Here I am busy battering down a well guarded front door when Lee decides to get directions to the back door.