One regret from my early 20s was networking. If someone were more successful than me, I'd try desperately to get them to like me, even if I didn't like them. As I got older, I realised 2 things: 1. It rarely worked. 2. In the rare circumstances where it did work, my prize was spending time with people I didn't like. I then shifted to a more vibe-based approach. 1. Do I think this person is awesome? 2. What's the energy like when I hang out with them? My social life is 10x better. And ironically, I've ended up becoming friends with more "successful" people than I previously did. I met lots of awesome people on the come-up because I spotted their awesomeness when nobody was paying attention to them yet. Desperately trying to meet people leagues above you in life is overrated. They often have no time for you because they can sense the transactional game you're playing. Most want fewer sycophants in their lives who glaze them, not more. Ironically again, it's easier to meet "successful" people when you don't care about meeting successful people. They are drawn to people who don't care who they are and treat them like one of the guys or gals. Meeting people who are awesome on the come up is underrated. You get to share the journey. When those people "make it" (not that making it matters), they want to spend time with their old friends from the come-up because they trust them so much more. Vibe > Networking. You'll have more fun, more true friends *and* network better than the networkers.