Tip: Network with purpose; use the 5-3-1 formula.

Posted by Hailey Heimbach on Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Tip: Network with purpose; use the 5-3-1 formula.

The end of summer is a time when people start gearing up for a more work-mode mindset. Of course, you probably worked (and worked hard) over the summer, but September brings thoughts of refreshing and recharging connections.

Social scientist Kasley Killam, "The Art and Science of Connection", offers this formula, the 5-3-1 model of Connection:

● “Five: Connect with 5 different people each week, including in-person, over the phone, or through other forms of communication with friends, family members, loved ones, co-workers, or neighbors.

● Three: Maintain 3 close relationships of what Killam calls your “innermost circle.” Think: Loved ones, good friends, family members.

● One: Spend 1 hour per day being socially engaged. This could mean hanging out with one person, being in a class or activity with others, or a mix of short but fulfilling social interactions with different people.”

To enhance this 5-3-1 discipline start putting these connecting activities into your online calendar as weekly pop-up reminders or stick a post-it note on your computer. Make a list of people you want to connect with for each of these steps and keep track of your progress.

Killam says, “It’s about having these reminders and rituals so that it becomes habitual. It’s so easy for our connections to just be the last thing on our to-do list.”

To learn more about this formula, read this article by Kelle Walsh in Super Age here: https://superage.com/how-healthy-is-your-social-biome/.

SHEPA LEARNING COMPANY WEEKLY POSITIVE NETWORKING® TIP​
​No. 1130, September 3, 2025​
​By Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson

Categories: General

Tagged: General, Information, Tips and Tricks