For the past thirteen years, I’ve embraced a personal tradition that parallels the creative spirit of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). While thousands of writers worldwide commit to crafting 50,000-word novels each November, I dedicate myself to daily blogging about something equally vital: the art and science of building meaningful relationships through networking.
With a special nod to my son, Ian, who spent five months in Japan earlier this year, this November’s writing journey draws inspiration from Japanese concepts that illuminate paths to better living and working. Today, I want to explore “majime” (真面目) – a profound Japanese principle that embodies seriousness, diligence, and responsibility in one’s work and commitments.
The concept of majime resonates deeply with my annual November blogging tradition. When I first began in 2011, I didn’t just want to write about networking; I wanted to create a disciplined practice that would strengthen my commitment to helping others build authentic connections. Like the Japanese craftsman who approaches their work with unwavering focus and dedication, I approach each November as a sacred time to reaffirm my purpose and share insights with the Coffee Lunch Coffee community.
Majime isn’t about being stern or joyless – it’s about bringing your full presence and dedication to what matters most. When we embrace majime in our networking practices, we move beyond superficial connections and create space for genuine relationships to flourish. This means treating each interaction with care, following through on commitments, and maintaining the integrity of our professional relationships.
My November writing tradition embodies majime in several ways:
- It demands daily discipline, regardless of circumstances
- It requires thoughtful reflection and genuine insight
- It serves a greater purpose beyond personal achievement
- It reinforces my commitment to the Coffee Lunch Coffee community
As we navigate our professional lives, imagine what might change if we approached our networking and relationship-building with the spirit of majime. What if we treated each connection as worthy of our full attention and genuine effort? What if we viewed networking not as a casual activity but as a meaningful practice deserving of our best selves?
This November, I invite you to consider where you might incorporate more majime into your own relationship-building practices. Perhaps it’s being more intentional with follow-ups, dedicating focused time to nurturing professional relationships, or approaching networking with greater purpose and presence.
The beauty of majime lies in its simplicity: show up fully, act with purpose, and honor your commitments. In doing so, we not only elevate our work but also create lasting value for those around us. This is the essence of meaningful networking, and it’s what continues to inspire my November writing tradition year after year.
Happy Networking!