If you think chowing down lunch at your desk in 10 minutes will save you time and help you be more productive, think again!

First off, it’s not healthy for you, so take time to chew your food well and enjoy it while you are doing so.

Second, realize that sometimes what makes you faster, better, smarter is your network! Using your lunch time or a break to get to know others, help others with work advice, or discuss an ongoing project will yield way more impact in the future. The benefits are endless. Deeper relationship with someone means they will be more willing to find time to help you out with your current project or career advice. Staying in touch with the people in the industry means that they can provide useful tidbits of information that will help you prepare a smarter strategy or find a vendor that you need without hours and hour of research. Etc. Etc.

There is no such thing as a self-made man. Our success is dependent on our reputation and the relationships we build. Building and cultivating your network is the best thing you can do for your career as either entrepreneur or intrapreneur (someone who drives innovation inside the organization, but isn’t necessarily at the helm).

So get away from your keyboard, step outside of your cubicle and talk to people. Go for a coffee or lunch, take them on a 10-min walk outside, get to know them. Find ways to help them with their challenges and ask for their advice on yours. And don’t just talk to the people you closely work with. Ask around about those who are unconventional leaders or who are known for their progressive thinking and reach out to them. Be proactive in building your network.

Start now. Build your network before you need it.

The Biggest Mistake of Your Career — Eating Lunch at Your Desk, Alone was originally published in Be Yourself on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We go through life building not only on our own experiences, but experiences and advice of others. Whether on purpose or accidentally, we connect with people who change our views and opinions, who ignite our passions, who impact our lives and even shape our path.

Success is a team sport. No one person can ever possibly know everything or possess all of the skills necessary to make a dream a reality at large scale.

That’s why we partner with others. Whether they are investors who contribute to the success of a venture financially, or they are employees who help a business mature by contributing their skills and experience, or they are vendors who provide the supplemental resources needed for the growth of a company, or spouses and family members who bring necessary emotional support during tough times, or friends who offer access to their networks to open up new opportunities, or even customers who believe in the vision of a business and are passionate about its products or services, the reality is these people define us. These partnerships are why we walk the path we are walking and why we finally get to a destination — a destination we call “a goal,” “an accomplishment,” “ a dream.”

Everything in life is build on relationships. There is no such thing as a “self-made man.” And if anyone tells you otherwise, that person doesn't understand the power of partnerships, the power of network, the power of generosity.

This quote from a friend, the networking guru and highly successful individual Keith Ferrazzi, in his book Never Eat Alone sums it up nicely:

“Wherever you are in life right now, and whatever you know, is a result of the ideas, experiences, and people you have interacted with in your life, whether in person, through books an music, email, or culture. There is no score to keep when abundance leads to even more abundance. So make a decision that from this day forward you will start making the contacts and accumulating the knowledge, experiences, and people to help you achieve your goals.

But first be honest with yourself. How much time are you ready to spend on reaching out and giving before you get? How many mentors do you have? How many people have you mentored? What do you love to do? How do you want to live? Whom do you want to be a part of your life?”

So I ask you:

• Who are you going to have lunch with tomorrow?
• Who are you going to say “thank you” to for their generosity and for getting you this much closer to your destination?
• Who are you going to offer “How can I help you?” to today?

#RelationshipsMatter
#ConnectWithSomeoneNewToday

“Whoa! So much passion! Simmer down. You are giving me a headache!”

If you are passionate about something to the core, then I bet you've heard that a thousand times. From your managers, from your peers, maybe even from your friends. You immediately feel like the wind has been knocked out of you. You are taken aback. And surprised, yet again. “How can they not get how cool this is… what this means… what we can do with this??” You feel like a little piece of you dies every time they say it.

Here is my reply to a statement like that: “Got a headache? Take an aspirin!”

What is it with people with no passion? What is it with those who don’t give a damn? If you have nothing to be passionate about, maybe you should learn from those around you who are? And, instead of knocking them down, draw an inspiration from them? Shut up and listen for a change. Let them motivate you with their fire and lift you with their desire for the better, for the innovation, for the spectacular?

Warren Buffet said: “Without passion, you have no energy. Without energy, you have nothing.”

So, my advice? Ignore those who seem to be overwhelmed by your energy, your passion, and your dreams. Let your enthusiasm bubble over, time and time again. Ultimately it’ll attract those who “get it”, those who will admire your passion and your vision, those who deserve to share in your dream, no matter how big or small it is. Don’t ever let others bring you down. Because there is nothing as dangerous as indifference.

#StayPassionate!