It’s very easy to get caught in the affiliations game. The fundamental problem, of course, is that there is no universal definition for success. That leaves all of us searching for our definitions on this almost mystical quest..
The funny part about any search is that it’s easy to lose sight of the overall objective every once in a while. A focus on affiliations is one such example. Of course, we’ll have to take out of consideration outliers like a Mark Zuckerberg or a Steve Jobs who had tremendous fortune aide them in combination with their tremendous abilities.
For most of us, it’s a (hopefully) steady journey onwards and upwards with a lucky break or two. And, like it or not, affiliations do help.
For those seeking corporate success, this could mean going to a reputed business school, for those seeking to create a venture of their own, this could mean being funded by a certain select group of venture capitalists and for a footballer, it might mean being selected or signed by a leading football club. Of course, the younger you are when this happen, the better.
It’s easy to focus so hard on a mid-step that we lose context of why we’re taking that step. But it’s vital nevertheless not to fall prey to that.
Because, at the end of the day, whatever the list of affiliations, it’s the accomplishments that will count.
A Learning a Day 