"Where to start?" is a question that comes up often.

Usually, this is a question someone asks when he or she is just getting started in a new business or job, or simply starting to seriously network for business purposes.

However, it can also occur to someone who is comfortable networking and has been doing so for a while. And this typically happens when there's a change of some sort which leads the person to feel somewhat unfocused about what they want or how to find whatever it is that they want.

If you can relate to either of these scenarios, the best place to start is always with yourself.

What do you want?

Sounds simple, but isn't always an easy question to answer.

However, when you do answer the question, "where to start" becomes very clear.

So here are 4 steps to help identify what exactly you want, so you know where to start:

1. What are the specific outcomes you want to see from your networking efforts and activities?
2. What are the exact problems or challenges you're currently facing, that's preventing you from getting the results you want? What do you think is causing this problem in the first place? Be as specific as possible.
3. If you could find an "ideal" solution or resolution to this problem or challenge, what would that be? And what would an "acceptable" solution or resolution look like? Again, describe this in as much detail as possible.
4. Whom do you know, who can help you with find this solution or resolve this problem, as you have described it above? If you don't know anyone, whom do you know who could introduce you to people who can help you with this issue?

Going through these 4 steps will help you get clearer about what you want and what would help.

Once you know what you want, you can focus your actions towards getting it: such as, go to events that will help you meet the people you want to, talk to and ask people for what you want and need, etc.

Sri Dasgupta helps business professionals get better results from their business networking efforts. She is the author of the Effortless Networking, and writes regular articles offering business networking tips and related resources.