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Vail Daily column: I’ve got a guy

Michael Norton
Climbing to Success

You know that moment where we need help with a situation or project and someone around us says, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a guy?”

Sometimes they just don’t say it, they whisper it like it’s a best kept secret or where the situation or project calls for the kind of guy that shows up in the shadows, comes from the underworld and has a crooked smile where the short end of a cigar dangles from the corner of his lips. You know the feeling right, that, “I’ve got a guy from Detroit,” or “I’ve got a guy from New York,” that can really help you with anything kind of feeling.

Since I am originally from New Jersey, I joke around a lot with my friends about this subject. Anytime that they bring up a situation or express a need, I say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a guy.”



Now the truth is that in most situations, I do have a guy, or a gal, or a company who can help them out. You see, I have developed a fairly robust network of friends, colleagues, contractors, customers and associates who are always willing to help out if and when I need them. And one of my favorite things to do is to help connect the dots where I can so that I can help as many people as possible whenever I can.

Win-Win Relationships

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Some people call it networking and that is fine because I guess that is what it really is at the end of the day. I prefer to feel like I am building solid win-win relationships with people who also understand that they can contact me at any time as well should my skills, resources or services be of value to them in their time of need.

Now, the network of friends, people and companies I have developed and nurtured to become what they are did not happen overnight. This has been a lifetime of giving back to them, demonstrating my love and loyalty and willingness to help. Being available to talk or act as needed. As a matter of fact throughout my career, I have made it a point to continually reach out and stay in touch with as many people as possible. A very proactive approach to staying connected.

Benefits of having Someone To call

Some of you may say, well that’s just not my thing, or that is not important to me. And that’s OK, I just wanted to give you some of the benefits I see when it comes to having a guy or gal or someone you can go to in time of need. Or better yet, the benefit of being that guy or gal when someone calls you in their time of need.

Recently, I have helped connect the dots for people looking for work. I get resumes all the time, and I always promise to keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to share those resumes. And recently that has worked out well for a few of my connections. When a friend of mine from New Jersey had a son visiting Colorado and needed assistance with some short-term housing, I was able to help. And when I was traveling and away from my home when a blizzard hit, I had a guy I called who handled all of the snow removal at my home so I didn’t return in the middle of the night to a driveway full of snow. (Thank you, Tim)

Cultivating Relationships

You see having a “go-to” person or being that “go-to” person really does have its benefits. And when we take the time to build those relationships throughout the course of a lifetime, we will have such a vast network of people who are always willing to help us. We will in turn have such a sense of accomplishment as we are able to look back on each time or event where we were placed in a position to help others as well.

Are you that “I’ve got a guy” or “I’ve got a gal” kind of person? Can your skills, resources, or services be of benefit to someone else today? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we become part of someone else’s network while building a network of our own, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a strategic consultant, business and personal coach and motivational speaker. He writes a weekly motivational column for the Vail Daily.


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