#crumbtrail

Here's something you may not already know. The theory of six degrees of separation is one that was proposed in 1929 by a Hungarian writer. In a nutshell, it suggests that we are all connected to any one other person in the entire world by a chain of people we know, with at most five people in between them. Let's explore this possibility to see how you might know every celebrity, with at least five intermediaries.

You have a neighbor who is originally from Canada. (That's #1) His family owns a sign company and his mother is friends with another woman . That third woman is a teacher at the university. One of her students was a childhood friend of Angelina Jolie, the famous actress . That's five people between you and Angelina Jolie. You are #6, or #1, depending on whether you look at it from the front to the back or vice versa. Although this is just one hypothetical example among thousands that could be presented, the theory is certainly fascinating. We can never know if we truly have five people between knowing someone famous, unless we dig deep to explore the possibilities. In fact, living amidst an era of technology and social media, it's possible that our degrees of separation may even be less than six.

Leverage connections by identifying common friends

With tools in place on many of the bigger social networks, apps and communities online, you now have more power than ever to meet someone that could benefit you professionally. There's a "People You Might Know" box on LinkedIn; or "You Might Also Want to Follow" on Twitter. These tools help to identify common friends and decrease the assumptive six degrees of separation between you and them. This allows you to spot people with whom you share like-minded hobbies, talents, skills, or anything that can greatly enhance your connections. But how? Just knowing someone isn't really enough, unless you leverage those connections by reaching out to them. Give out a shout or write a personal note to someone if you're looking for something specific. For example, let's say you have a friend (of a friend) who is a fantastic graphic designer. You happen to be looking for revamping your personal website. Rather than advertising the job and starting to filter designers from scratch, you can ask to be introduced to that person through your friend.  This strategy can also work to get introductions, references or to make new friendships. Reinforcing relationships with your existing connections over time can only make them stronger. People like to do business with someone they know, and like. By communicating and reaching out to them, you are initiating a relationship. You will no longer be strangers. These can only lead to more opportunities, job offers, reviews, or whatever you need to strengthen your personal, academic or professional life. Networking is crucial for building connections and for eventually getting great opportunities.

How to increase your 'Power of Six'

One tip to using the six degrees of separation to your advantage is to be willing to give back. If you're asking to be introduced to someone, offer something in return. A lot of authors share reviews with each other to help build credibility on their work. A lot of business people share ideas or connections with each other to make introductions less awkward. The power of six is even more powerful than ever because of the online opportunities that are far reaching and plentiful. Just make sure your requests are not always one-sided.

You already know about the value of networking. One minute you could be sitting at your favorite Java hut, drinking a cup of steamy fresh coffee, when suddenly you strike up a conversation with someone sitting near you. Turns out, they work for a company you've heard of and you have a common friend.  Meeting someone face-to-face gives you an extra boost in your networking cliques. If you swap information and stay in touch, these random connections can become even more important than you realize.

That one person that you met might know another, who knows another; and so forth. Before you know it, your coffee excursion could lead to a new position at your dream company, or an otherwise interesting endeavor. But in order to get there, you shouldn't be afraid of putting yourself out there, both online and offline.

We've all heard countless examples of how one random discussion turned into a side project which eventually resulted in the creation of a million-dollar idea. Some started in their small garage and then landed in Fortune 500 or Entrepreneur Magazine. Almost all of these successes were based on meeting the right people at the right time. 

We now have platforms dedicated to funding ideas, where people can come together to show patronage and support. Gamers, authors, inventors, holistic specialists, and college students all have a leveled playing field. 

Offline communities are also on the rise. For example, let's say you like tinkering with electronics and materials to make pieces of art when you're bored. None of your friends like industrial design or crafts and could care less to try it. You can still signup for a HackerSpace in your area to use their space and equipment for your projects, and more importantly to meet other people with similar interests. 

People are usually involved with different types of circles and networks, instead of being bound by one. You can have one network just for your video gaming buddies, another for your biking companions, and yet another for your nightlife and partying. Whether or not you meet these new friends in person is moot point. Even if you don't meet someone physically, you can totally interact as much or as little as you choose.  

Many of these niche-related communities go beyond just the typical Twitter, Facebook and larger social networks. Instead of being wide and shallow, they are narrow and deep, thus allowing you to learn from each other and feel more at home. Because of this niche-focus, new apps are launched every day, giving people a chance to play together, do business together, find jobs, take classes, get rides, or truly everything imaginable. Yet, this sea of networking must be sorted smartly, so we can have more control over our social lives.  

People say that first impressions are critical in establishing the perception of a person or thing from the very instant of meeting. But are they, really?  I think first impressions can sometimes be dishonest, in a way. People are always on their best behavior when they are first introduced to someone new. And new products are like shiny, star-spangled gizmos that we can’t wait to get our hands on.  As soon as one product is introduced, it becomes seemingly obsolete by the next season. Whenever a new model hits the market, it’s sure to be even better and more spectacular than its predecessor.

My first impression is… let’s wait and see.

I’m not the type to hold a candle to first impressions. It is kind of like a first date. Both people are doing their best to impress the person sitting across from them. They brag about accomplishments, wear their finest clothes, fix up to look pretty, and maybe even squirt on just a smidge of something that smells wonderfully delicious. Just like a shiny new product that has been recently introduced to the public, people look their best when they go on a first date.

It’s much later on when you see them in their casual T-shirts or nerdy glasses, that they leave a more indelible impression on you. This is the part of them that you might grow to love and respect much more than their initial glass-like persona. Or, you’d even be surprised to find out that they are always looking topnotch, keeping you in a state of “constant awe”. 

This is why I prefer to make assumptions about a person after interacting with them a few times. Will they still wear their best clothes and sound as good as they did upon that first encounter? Will that shiny new gizmo still work as good as new after using it for a few weeks or months?  

The importance of long-term impressions.

It’s important to be genuine when you’re meeting new people. In this way, it’s easier to maintain the initial persona and image that attracted them to you in the first place. 

First impressions only weaken when the initial interaction turns out to be disingenuous, and this is when things can go awry. 

Let’s say, for example, that you just graduated from college. You’re hot-to-trot and ready to embark upon a new career within the field of your chosen profession. You've put in your hard work, years of studying and due diligence and finally made it.  Then you apply for forty positions around the country and find recruiters to help you get a job.  And nothing. Not one phone-call or email inquiry.  

Could it be the first impression you made with your resume? Possibly. Take a look at it and assess whether it represents you in the right manner. If you’re making yourself look like a super-hero on it, back it up with endeavors you have done to justify the claims. 

This applies in many other aspects. Landing new clients, finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, or selling more products, for example. Many people don’t put as much precedence on first impressions anymore.  There’s the “wait and see” mentality, especially in a world where everybody claims to have the biggest, fastest, best, or most awesome thing since sliced bread.