Transform Your Personal Archive into a Networking Powerhouse

In just 12 months, I've built relationships with over 50 remarkable people who've transformed both my work and my intellectual life. The secret? Converting my private collection of ideas into a public Personal Archive. This simple practice, of documenting insights from others and sharing them online, has easily (but not quickly!) become my most powerful networking tool, and I'm inviting you to try it alongside me too.

For nearly two decades, I've been collecting brilliant ideas from people I admire. At first, I was doing this just in my head, sort of intuitively but not in any organized way (RIP annual day planners), then they turned into notes on my phone - where I could search them beyond a year (don’t rest in too much peace annual planner, you’ve been replaced), and finally, those notes turned into published reflections on my website.

What is a Personal Archive? It's simply this: a curated collection of reflections on insights that matter to you, published with sources intact and searchable for future reference.

Why does it connect with Personal Networking so well? Because once published, both your reflections and their sources become visible in the public record. In a digital landscape rarely characterized by genuine appreciation (like, ever, you know?), thoughtful attribution stands out. Dramatically. Or, at least, not as AI-BS. One sincere acknowledgment can open unexpected doors, and you’ll never know until you try.

Personally, I can show a client a post I wrote, or just verbally relay it to them (usually my normal method), and it feels as cool as it does useful.

On occasion, I’d share a post publicly on social media, or privately email a source person to say, “Hey, just so’s you know, I’m saying something nice about you on the internet,” or even “I used this idea I learned from you at work today - thanks!”

The results were as immediate as they were surprising. After adding my name to the site in 2022, a new pattern emerged - people began directly asking, "How do you know all these people?" You hear it once and it’s one thing. But you hear it 10, 20, and more times, you start to realize something I at least hadn't fully appreciated at all - that the network I was building through simple attribution and appreciation had become a visible asset. What I had viewed merely as some personal in public learning was actually creating a web of relationships that others found impressive and valuable too.

This made me think. Really hard, actually. About how - if, I wasn’t going to be anonymous anymore - how could I better compile ideas from my sources, as well as bring those networked people and ideas to work for my clients?

The turning point came during a conversation with Josh Spector on his podcast. He helped me see the full power of how my private note-taking habit could transform into a public networking strategy. His insights helped catalyze everything I was working on, outside of my head, for the first time. He helped show me how my YouTube channel and "Just Press Record," how my expanded writing at Cultish Creative, and now how the integration of these practices into my consulting work at Sunpointe and in private are all linked. What began as personal curiosity has evolved into a comprehensive system for network building that serves my clients, my audience, and my own growth simultaneously.

My new "Grow Your Network" series delivers five specific benefits with each post:

1. Direct Connections 

I'll show you exactly how to connect with each featured person, like when after I did an Intentional Investor with Danika Waddell, I wrote up one of these posts and then shared her LinkedIn and website, etc. with all of you here. You did connect with her, right?

2. “WORK” aka Professional Applications

Each post includes a practical work takeaway, like a concept, framework, or technique you can implement immediately, with my personal reflections and a prompt for you to reflect too. Take this example of HR Exec and karate school founder Steve Willison on the difference between life integration and work life balance.

3. “LIFE” aka Personal Growth 

I extract lessons that enhance your life beyond work, i.e. your family, spouse, kids, friends, etc., and give you a personal reflection plus a prompt for you to reflect on. Take this example of decade plus monthly networking dinner host and venture investor Matthew Stafford on how he implements his parents advice to “always cross the street” to be a more helpful human.

4. “LEGACY” aka Building the Future Beyond Yourself  

These ideas become part of what you pass on to others, creating ripple effects far beyond your immediate circle, and I’ll again give you a personal reflection and some prompts for you to think about too. Take this example financial planner, co-parent and spouse of a very busy tech exec, and small community organizer Danika Waddell as she explains how she creates spaces for others to be their (weird, but lovable) authentic selves in the world.

5. Guided Implementation 

I already said it but I’m saying it again - every subsection here ends with my personal reflection and a specific prompt to help you apply the concept yourself. I want to make this as easy as possible to do this with me. Even if you only pick one item to reflect on and keep handy, these results will compound.

This practice, of turning private learning into public appreciation, has rapidly become my most valuable professional habit. It fuels my work, it enriches my relationships, and continually expands my horizons.

Ready to try it yourself?

Start today with these three simple steps:

A. Choose one idea from someone you've learned from recently (podcast guest, author, colleague)

B. Write a short reflection (even just 2-3 paragraphs) highlighting how their insight helped you/stuck with you/and why

C. Share it publicly and send them the link with a simple "Thanks for the inspiration" or my personal favorite “Just wanted you to know - someone is saying something nice about you on the internet.”

Already maintaining your own Personal Archive? I'd love to feature your approach in an upcoming newsletter, so click reply or find me here to tell me. New to the concept? Reply/send me a message with "Personal Archive Starter" and I'll send you my three favorite posts to help you begin your collection.