If you're trying to build a career or business, you have probably two common piece of advice
One group says "Just be consistent. Keep showing up and success will come."
Another group says" Your network is your net worth. It's all about who you know."
So which one should you choose ?
For a long time, I have believed that consistency is enough. If you work hard, improve your skills and kept showing up everyday, surely opportunities will find you. After all, hard work speaks for itself or so we like to believe.
But reality doesn't always work that way.
I know some incredibly talented writers, artists, developers and entrepreneurs whose works goes unnoticed simply because very few people knows they exist. They're consistent but they're invisible.
On the other hand, I have seen people with average skills, yet they land amazing opportunities just because they knew the right people. A recommendation, a referral, or even a simple introduction opened a way that talent couldn't open.
At first it may seem unfair, but that's just how it has been. People creates opportunities for people.
Does that mean consistency doesn't matter? Not at all.
Connection opens the door, but consistency determines if you remain there.
Just imagine someone invited you for an interview, and you get hired because of connection. If you fail to deliver, arrive late or fail to put on effort, trust me you won't stay long in that organization. So eventually, your work speaks louder than your connection.
At the same time, you can be the most hardworking person in the room, but if you never introduce yourself, fail to share your work, collaborate and build relationships, people may never discover you.
Though success isn't built by choosing one over another. Consistency builds value while connection creates the opportunity to showcase that value. So one without the other often limit growth.
The people who seem to be doing well are usually doing both. They're improving their skills everyday while building connection here and there. Because connection can open the door but it's consistency that will keep you in the room, because when preparation meets opportunity, then success is sure.
Image is ai generated.
