I confess: I loathe networking, at least in the sense it is commonly understood. I don't like investing in relationships solely for their potential to provide me with value, boost my financial prospects, or advance my career ambitions.

On the other hand, it's naive and ultimately prideful to think one achieves personal or professional success without the contribution of others. Gwen Moran, in her article Master Networkers Reveal The Only Five People You Really Need In Your Network, observes that "We all achieve success through our own skill and hard work, but also through a network of people who teach, hire, refer, and otherwise help us along the way."

I may not like "networking" for its connotations of building relationships with others simply for what they can potentially do for me in the future, but I am a big believer in being intentional and choosy about relationships.

People are important. When choosing with whom I want to regularly spend my discretionary time, I try to be intentional about those relationships. I want to spend my time with people who add value to my own life, who challenge me to be at my best as a person, who are interesting, creative, or inspiring, and to whose lives I want to give my best in helping them achieve their personal aspirations as well. I've learned that toxic people are draining, so I try to limit my time with such people and keep firm, healthy boundaries on those relationships. I want to spend the majority of my energies in building relationships that are mutually rewarding.

To that end, Moran's article offers wise advice about the qualities one should look for when choosing intentional relationships:

Values: Do we share the same values, ethics, character?
Diversity: Do we travel in different circles, have different experiences, can offer different perspectives to one another?
Achievement: Do the people with whom I am investing time call me to be my best self, to raise the bar of my personal expectations?
Helpfulness: Are these people who I am willing to help, and who are willing to invest time helping me?
Respect: Do we mutually respect one another?

(An interesting book length resource on the vital importance of intentional relationships can be found in Leonard Sweet's 11: Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without.)