Everyone has a different definition of it. Some more positive then others. Mine is the the act of connecting and building a relationship with people which includes making friends or connections to grow wealth wise. Some see it as I make a person like me and they will want to do something for me which may work but isn’t what networking should be about. It’s about working together or growing together in making something better happen is how I see it. I always give value without asking for it in return which is why it probably works so well for me. You could be my closest friend or someone I just met and connected with and I will still try my best to help them with what I know or connect them with the right people but I’m picky about who I connect with so I don’t just do this for everyone I meet.
It goes back to my points in the past, just running HoM or Inner Circle won’t get you the results your seeking you have to be out there. Join a networking group, travel and there’s no excuses too. Most of my good friends and connections are in the 28 - 35 age so it’s never too late. If anything the older the better since it will be easier for you to connect with people who are on a similar level and path.
Story time that I think I said more times then I can remember, I started the year with zero friends and connections. I got rid of everyone that I knew. Was in the best idea? Probably not and I definitely hurt some people but it changed my life forever because I was put in a spot where I had to grow. I spent what seemed like a fortune to me at the time to join a networking group which put in debt as well. I connected and had calls with 100+ members there no matter who they we’re. A lot of times it sucked and a lot of time wasted but that 10% of connections I made there was life changing. I made an extra 30k from that group alone and then an extra 50k from the new job offer I got. All together, I got 80k more in income from networking but most importantly I built friendships that I consider the closest things I have to family that are their for me no matter what.
That’s exactly the point of joining a networking group does.
Very long post, I know but I think the best ways to achieve what you want is to join a networking group (doesn’t have to be a social lifestyle and wealth one like I did. Could be anything from fitness, spiritual, etc) and travel. Those two things have transformed my life when nothing else did.