--Know who you want to know. Then figure out how to meet them. This is where you need to have a very clearly defined plan of action. Learn everything about people you want to meet, and then figure out who in your network shares same interests. It is very probable that they will know someone who knows person you want to meet.

--Understand and appreciate your value to people in your network. We all have unique interests, talents, and experiences which can be used to help others. Revel in knowing that you can touch lives of everyone you meet if you are prepared to share your knowledge and resources with them.

--Develop systems to organize your information so it is readily accessible. Whether it¹s a Day-timer, a contact management computer program, a Rolodex, or good ol¹ index cards doesn¹t matter. Use whatever works best for you and allows you to retrieve information quickly so you can pass it along in a timely manner.

--Strategize ways to consistently get your name before people in your network. You want to be at forefront of their thinking so when a potential client presents him/herself to someone you know, that person immediately makes connection and makes referral. This is ultimate goal of networking.

--Give, give, give! Give freely of yourself, never expecting anything in return. Trust that what you put out there will come back to you. It may not come back immediately. It may not come back, directly. It will, however, come back eventually. Just give.

Further, by letting go of this particular rule, Janice began walking each morning with her younger sister. The two had drifted apart in recent years, and Janice wanted to strengthen that relationship.

Here's another example of breaking rules, although a fictional one. In a recent "Seinfeld" episode, character George Costanza discovers if he simply does opposite of what he'd usually do in a given situation, he'll get outcome he desires in that situation.

George goes for a job interview with New York Yankees. When he meets team owner, George tells him what a lousy job he's done managing Yankees. Instead of being polite and professional, as he usually would, George is rude and obnoxious. Naturally, he gets hired.

I don't recommend you follow George's lead . . . not totally anyway. It certainly wouldn't hurt to look at some of your own rules though. Look especially in area(s) where you feel stuck or in a rut.

It might also help to talk it out with someone who's trained to help you find solutions and move forward, such as a coach. As one of my other clients recently told me, "I appreciate your honesty and directness in pointing out things that I've had "blinders" on to."

Ready to break some rules? Go ahead. You can do it. As Thomas Edison said: "hell, there are no rules here--we're trying to accomplish something." It may be only difference between a life that's so-so and a life that's amazing.

It's Your Life! Make it great.