4 ways to succeed that dont include networking

4 ways to succeed that dont include networking4 ways to succeed that dont include networkingMention the word networking to an entrepreneur, and youll often get one of two reactions enthusiasm or cringing. The importance of having - and making - connections cannot be understated, but theres more that goes into departureing and growing a business. And when networking isnt part of the equation, youre forced to learn - about yourself, about others and about the process of learning.Personally, I cringe when someone mentions networking, so I welches pleased to discover that theres more to entrepreneurship than who you know.When I came to the United States from France to start my business, CrownTV, a digital signage software company, I did not have the luxury of family or connections. Im grateful for this because it taught me how to be self-reliant.The lessons I learned from this are useful not just in business but also in everyday life.1. Know yourselfSome people are natural networkers or have a strong desire to become one. Others prefer to go it alone. Whats important isnt which one of these you are, itsknowingwhich one.Try attending networking events and seeing how it feels. Do you feel out of place, or do you feel eager to meet people and make connections?If youre a networker, then network away. If not, decide what you should focus on instead.Networking alone will not make you successful, and its not mandatory. Instead, hard work, dedication, and persistence will. Connections will naturally followbecause people value accountability and diligence in others.2. Learn about othersDont rely on others to move your business forward. In college, I was working toward a degree in finance and wanted my friend to sign up for the same classes so we could study together. In actuality, he wasnt sure what he wanted and he didnt sign up for the courses. So I signed up on my own and never looked back. Had I waited, I may have missed the window to secure my spot.However, its also important to learn who youcantrust and rely on for moral support. Having a support system is crucial, and you shouldnt feel ashamed for needing one. Family is a safe place to start, especially if any of them have experience running a business. Dont be afraid to ask them questions and seek their help when you need it.Id also recommend finding one person - perhaps a fhigkeit co-founder - who can bolster you mentally along the way, because the road isnt easy. I think startups with two founders are more successful for this reason. Trust yourself first, but also surround yourself with others you know you can trust.3. Know what you dont know (then learn it)Never be afraid to learn and ask questions. Although admitting you have a lot to learn and asking questions may be seen as signs of weakness in the U.S., in reality, even the most successful entrepreneurs are always learning and acquiring new skills. We constantly see them starting new ventures, investing inWe constantly see them sta rting new ventures, investing in startups and running non-profits. They see a next level in everything they do and have the will to reach it.Make time to learn almost every day. Ive always attended night classes, and still do to this day. Ive taken classes on everything from finance to real estate, preferably taught by other entrepreneurs whove been in my shoes. Its made me realize how much I still have to learn about running a business. You cant learn it all, but that doesnt mean its a pointless endeavor.Accept that you and your business are a constant work in progress, and that life itself is a learning process.Know what you dont know, then go learn it.4. Practice patienceWith learning also comes patience. Dont expect things to happen overnight. We always think things will happen faster than theyre going to, and it sets us up for disappointment. It took time for me to fully understand that.When I started CrownTV, we thought each person we called would immediately want to schedule a meeting to see our product. We knew they were in need of a more modern solution and were using archaic systems, and we were confident we could fill that need.However, we quickly found out that how we pitched our solution wasnt appealing to prospects, and we werent presenting the right points. We had to redefine our pitch, emails and overall strategy. There was a steep learning curve until prospects actually returned our calls and emails and were interested in learning more. Being patient and allowing ourselves to make mistakes was crucial in getting to that point.At the beginning, you think your product will sell as soon as you have a website and prospects, but if that were true there would be no failed businesses. Its OK to be eager, but try to channel that hunger into learning and patience, which are virtues in both entrepreneurship and life.This article originally appeared on BusinessCollective.Jacob Layani is CEO ofCrownTV.