Start Your Little Black Book Of Powerful Contacts

Your Rolodex and/or address book contains all the numbers you may eventually need to call. But you need another book — a very special book — to keep vital information on your power system. Your power system comprises all the powerful people you know who can make a positive difference in your future.

They are supervisors, consultants, competitors, and colleagues who have resources and connections you lack. They are bankers, lawyers, marketers, and entrepreneurs. They are your bosses and your bosses’ bosses. They are the wealthy neighbors and powerful businessmen you play golf or tennis with. They are the most successful people in your industry — and, especially, the people who do what you do, only better.

Take a half-hour and write out your power list. Then ask your assistant to transfer these names to a separate address book. All personal details — including spouse names, sports interests, birthdays, etc. — should be included. Over the course of the next week, continue to add names. (Hint: Ask yourself who the most influential individuals are in your (a) department, (b) business, and (c) industry.) This book is going to be an extremely powerful tool in your career. Next week, we’ll talk about exactly how to use it.

[Ed. Note.  Mark Morgan Ford was the creator of Early To Rise. In 2011, Mark retired from ETR and now writes the Palm Beach Letter. His advice, in our opinion, continues to get better and better with every essay, particularly in the controversial ones we have shared today. We encourage you to read everything you can that has been written by Mark.]