• strive to be a trusted friend, great husband and awesome dad.
• surround myself with the very best and brightest people the world has to offer.
• ask for advice and learn from others.
• give 110% every day and encourage others to do the same.
• lead by example.
• change my community by changing the world.

Applying the 80-20 rule, a.k.a the Pareto Principle, to relationships boils down to choosing which sets of causes and effects we want to limit or maximize.  The 80-20 rule restated with respect to relationships goes something like this:

Roughly 80% of the effects, given a cause, come from 20% of your relationships.

My personal corollary to that statement is:

Constantly contribute 80% of your energy to the 20% of your relationships generating the effects you want to optimize for.

The concept is simple but very hard to apply. The personal thought process behind my constant relationship introspection would be:

• Accomplishing goals with doing takes time, however, life is short
• 6,782,989,098 people currently inhabit this planet (U.S. Census Bureau)
• Dunbar’s Number tells me I can personally support around ~150 relationships
• I want to leave a noticeable mark on Des Moines and the WORLD
• My current 150 may help me leave a mark on Des Moines
• My current 150, statistically speaking, will need to be adjusted to have an impact on the WORLD
• Making choices is a natural part of life
• You are defined by the hard choices you make

Selfish? Ambitious? Crazy? Right on? … I’ll let you make that call in the comments

Also, what factors do you optimize for in YOUR life?

Justin affirms my belief that being a small business owner makes you part of a select group of people that are not afraid to strike it out on their own. He proves that we are all in this together. We need to stick together. We need to know what others are doing. We need to have an idea of each others clientele. Even more specifically, each others IDEAL client. The importance of referring preferred clientele can not be understated.

Refer someone to business you love but aren’t sure they know you.  You may kick-start a relationship and a line of referrals in the process. Word of mouth is a powerful force. If you are disengaged in the local business community (or a jerk), no one will be sending business your direction. Fight against the urge to silo yourself. Helping other small businesses out is EASY and it costs you NOTHING.

Again, we are all in this together. There is strength in numbers. Let’s use math and common sense to our advantage.

Now, take a minute or five to learn a thing or two from Justin.

Networking for Nerds Guide by Justin Brady in PDF Format (with a bonus tip!)

Coworking and Open Source communities are built around including people.  A closer look reveals that there is different levels or rings associated with being included in a coworking or Open Source community.

Rings of Inclusion in an Open Source Project

Core developers make up the innermost ring on most Open Source projects. Non-core developers, active forum members, outspoken mailing list participants, and power users make up the next ring or rings.  The outer rings of the project are made up by users who attempt to stay informed about the project or those who are not users but simply keep abreast of its ongoings.

Rings of Inclusion in a Coworking Space

Full-time desks and the space owner are usually at the middle of most coworking communities. The next level out is the part-timers and others that frequent the space during the day.  Another ring out are those participating in events held at the coworking spaces. A good example of coworking Rings of Inclusion is found in the plan descriptions of Citizen Space.

Allowing participation at many different levels is one way that coworking and Open Source create thriving communities.  Utilize the Rings of Inclusion concept for your community. You won’t be disappointed.

Practical and Tangible Reasons To Cowork

• Free Coffee
• Cheap!
• Varying Levels of Membership
• Free WiFi
• Bill Consolidation
• Mobility
• Month-to-Month Freedom

Intangible, Yet Extremely Vital Reasons to Cowork

• Built-in Networking Opportunities
• Community Sustainability
• Interpersonal Advice
• Camaraderie
• Motivation
• Strong Sense of Values

Community Trumps Any Individual

The recipe for creating a successful community is quite simple: Never forget that individuals are community is king.  Community-wide engagement is instrumental in making communities thrive. It is crucial to provide access to avenues for socialization and the free exchange of ideas.  Online avenues could be websites, blogs, forums, e-mail lists, Twitter, Facebook, or MySpace. Real world avenues could be group meetings, luncheons, or organized events.

Take Concept Buy-In at Face Value

It is easy for folks to say they love your idea or concept.  It is easy for those same people to say they would jump at the opportunity to take part in what you are creating. However, Alex Hillman of Indy Hall says it best, “If you build it, they won’t come.” Constantly remind yourself that talk is cheap. Instead, find ways to engage your community that will create meaningful connections and bonds. Having more than cursory involvement in your community is absolutely paramount to your success.

Live In A Glass House

We all think we can mask our real motives behind our interactions with others….the truth is, people can usually see right through your thinly veiled intentions.  Instead of hiding what are motives, why not ask or tell your community what you are up to. Community resentment is not a situation you want to find yourself in. Be proud of what you are doing. Let them know what you are up to!  Having a community rally around you is a great feeling.