The views expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their very own.
For the first 41 years of my life, I avoided coffee. I didn’t think I “needed it.” My energy levels were at all times in line with my This the kid you don’t want to take a seat next to on a plane. I get up before the sun every day and work until my eyes fail me at night, fighting the day — all without coffee.
And then I became a dad. Everything changes when recent life blesses you, including your sleep patterns. The immediate lack of control I experienced was incredible. My workout routine was decimated, my work hours were reduced, and my energy levels were now at the level of a sloth you are taking selfies with at the local zoo.
I had to seek out a technique to regain my vigor.
“Rog, do you want some coffee?“- My wife, Abby.
“Absolutely not. I don’t need coffee. I’ve never tried it and never will.“- I.
“Take one sip.“
“Good. One sip.“Now I’m addicted to coffee.
This was it. The Garden of Eden. Pandora’s Box. I was on the other side of caffeine innocence. I had tasted the sweet nectar from the Energy Gods and I would never go back.
But I had to find a way to make the coffee journey “me.” I realized that now that I was a “coffee guy,” I had the opportunity to do something I hadn’t done for the first 21 years of my profession: meetings over coffee!
If you know my story, you know I was a terrible student. I learned relatively early on that sometimes it isn’t What you know, but Who you know. I’ve at all times been a student of networking. I love relationships. I’m obsessed with learning from great leaders.
One of my favorite quotes is, “It’s not the grades you get, it’s the hands you shake.” So how could I use this newfound “coffee hour” to build recent relationships, make recent connections, and learn about recent industries, starting my day in the stratosphere of success?
Coffee with Closers! Eureka. This was it. I made the daring decision to drink coffee with one other person six days a week. Forever. I had no idea what the journey I was about to embark on was like, but I was excited (and high on caffeine).
There’s nothing unsuitable with connecting so long as it’s real. People love to speak about themselves so long as it’s done in a comfortable setting. I’ve found that meeting at a coffee shop is disarming; it allows for an authentic connection. There’s no stress, just people making and maintaining meaningful connections. I’m at all times direct when I make my cold attempts at connection, letting them know I just wish to hear their story. I have no other goal than to make a recent friend.
Life is all about connections, and I discovered at a young age that I enjoy connecting the dots—and conversation. What higher technique to spend each morning than doing two of my favorite things?
The key to growth is surrounding yourself with recent friends and different perspectives. Connecting the dots is an art, especially in the field of entrepreneurship.
- Need a canning company for your recent energy drink? I have a guest!
- Need a button maker for your recent clothing line? I’ve got a guy who knows a guy!
- Need an agave plant for your startup tequila brand? I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy!
You get the idea. The downsides to connecting people are nonexistent. Friendship? Mentorship? Support? Success? Why cannot there be more days in the week?
The lure of entrepreneurship is that there is no “right” path or “best” next move. That’s the point. It’s a limitless wonderland of innovation, creativity, and connection.
Entrepreneurship cannot exist in isolation. As the saying goes, “It takes a village?” Well, I wish to get to know everyone in my village. I wish to know their story, their passions, and their “why.” Starting my day by learning from another person gives me the fresh perspective I have to proceed showing up every day, each physically and mentally. AND mentally.
I make it a priority every day to satisfy someone with a fresh perspective to maintain my spirits up. I may have avoided caffeine my whole life, but I’ll never draw back from making recent friends. And you shouldn’t either. I’ve remodeled 500 recent friends over the past few years, and I take a “Coffee with Closers” photo with each one. Then my team and I create a short bio of the person I’m lucky enough to spend time with and post it on my personal LinkedIn account.
Showing someone their success is great, but showing someone off because they are successful AND nice? That’s what I’m talking about!
And here’s a fun fact… on my coffee journey, I’ve met a few startup coffee company founders. Now I’m one of the founding investors. How about this? The anti-coffee guy is now a co-owner of a coffee company?
My favorite circles are solid circles.