There's this popular saying that your network equals your net worth. But here's what actually happens: someone preaching this has $50 in the bank while their connections are collectively worth $2M. That gap says everything.

Your network alone? It's not a magic wand. It's not a cheat code either. Real talk—it's nowhere near a replacement for genuine skills, relentless work, or the concrete value you actually create. Connections open doors, sure. But you still have to walk through them with something substantive to offer.