In a study on employment published by the Harvard Business Review, only 14% of respondents indicated they had “received help of any kind from others” in attaining their new jobs. Since it has been well known for decades that the majority of jobs (60% – 80%) are landed through some type of networking, one implication is that many people forget that others have helped them.
And forgetting who has helped you to get where you are today likely goes far beyond careers. In a world where information is constantly streaming and you’re interacting with people through many mediums, it’s getting easier to forget the person who introduced you to that new connection on Linked In, who turned into a great client. Or, the person who posted that inspirational article on Facebook that motivated you to take a chance on a new venture. Or the feedback that you got from an audience member that ultimately led to a successful new concept.
The reality is, there is nothing great in life that we can accomplish completely alone. If you take a moment to examine who you’ve become and the accomplishments you have achieved, there are always people who have contributed along the way. Although the encouragement, advice, or input may come in subtle ways, it’s constantly present, guiding your steps.
So, take a moment today to think about the things in your life that you appreciate. Consider your recent successes and those qualities, attributes and achievements that you are grateful for. Chances are, there are people in your life right now who have helped you to attain these things. Why not send them a quick e-mail or note to let them know how they influenced your life for the better?