Why is this considered juggling? Don’t put so much stress on yourself. Networking is part of growing your career, knowledge, and personal growth. It’s interchangeable. You don’t need to go for lunch and coffee with everyone, even if they ask. Like any relationship, you can set your boundaries and decide who you want to spend your time with If you are really committed to your growth, I suggest, finding yourself a mentor or a coach. Meeting a million people won’t propel you forward. Meeting the right person at the right time will. Breathe all will come in time.

You need to bring a balance. Always being desperate or showing it in your conversations would do more harm than good. Make sure to form meaningful bonds before asking for anything. Give feedback value or help if you can, before you ask for anything.

The perfect balance will vary from person to person. I look at what's important to me at the time and focus on that. Networking can happen in many different forms and doesn't always need to be done in a formal setting. You can meet people out, on a teams call, at the local pub or even at a Christmas party. Focus on what makes you happy, and look at where you are now, and where you want to be. I always surround myself with positive people and people who I look up to, this helps me achieve what matters to me in that moment.

To balance networking and career growth effectively, integrate both into your long-term goals. Start by setting clear career objectives and identifying networking opportunities that directly support those goals. For instance, seek out events, groups, or individuals within your field who offer learning, mentorship, or potential collaboration. This makes networking more purposeful and aligned with your career trajectory. Allocate specific time each week for networking activities, such as attending events, engaging on professional social media, or scheduling one-on-one meetings. Balance this by dedicating equal time to skill-building and performance improvement in your current role, ensuring steady professional growth.

Not sure that I see these as competing interests - each feeds off the other and you need to be clear about how and why you approach conversations. The important aspects which distinguishes people who do this well in my opinion is that you need to offer value first before requesting anything in one of these relationships.