Build your support community

Recently I heard someone say "It takes a village to raise an Adult." We have all heard that saying about raising a child. It got me thinking, who are the people we need in our lives to magnify our success. I intentionally use the word "magnify" because I believe that you can be successful by going on your journey alone. However, your success will be greater when you have companions on your journey to support you.

Some of you also refer to your support community as your tribe, squad, friends or colleagues. We are talking about the same people. I have always liked the concept of having friends for different situations. That way, you can go to different people to get support on diverse matters. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of having great people in your court, the types of support groups we need and ways to get the most value from them. For reference, support community and system are used interchangeably in this post.

What is a Support System?

• a network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support. (Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary)
• A network of personal or professional contacts available to a person for practical or emotional support. (Source: The Free Dictionary)
• a network of people who interact and remain in informal communication for mutual assistance. (Source: The Free Dictionary)
• A support system is a network of peers, family, and friends that are always there for you to support you in every way they can. (Source: Clutteredgenius)

How does your support system help you?
A reliable support system can do the following things for you:

• Provide a safe space for you to be open and share your dreams.
• Validate your ideas and provide feedback.
• Providing a safe emotional space.
• Support you in achieving your goals.
• Serve as valuable companions on your journey.

The 5 types of support groups you need
To be successful in your personal and professional life, consider building these types of groups:

#1 - Your emotional support group
Having people you can be entirely vulnerable with is crucial. From time to time you need to bare it all and not feel like you have to hide. Make it a priority to stay connected with your friends. This group will help you stay emotionally balanced through life's ups and downs. Take a moment to be grateful for the great friends you have who have been supporting you emotionally.

#2 - Your personal "board of directors."
Identify a small group of people that you can reach out to when you need to make a major decision. The most significant value that they bring is a different perspective and provide additional data points for your decision that you may not be considering. Take advantage of this great opportunity and discuss those big decisions before you make them. Additionally, you can also benefit from getting honest feedback on your ideas.

#3 - Your mentors & professional sponsors
We all need people who provide guidance, share their knowledge and skills with us. Especially in a professional setting, mentors and sponsors are necessary. You will achieve more and progress further with the help of this group of people. Surround yourself with people who have traits you admire and aspire to develop. To get the most value from this group of people, be prepared, ask good questions and gather their insights.

#4 - Your accountability partners
To achieve the great things you are destined to do, you need people who will hold you accountable to the commitments you make towards your goals. From the Mastermind groups, I started a while ago; this point has been confirmed. When you share your goals with someone, you feel more committed to work towards your goals and show progress.

#5 - Your cheerleaders
Knowing that there is someone who believes in you and cheers you on is priceless. Especially when you feel stuck, hearing that reassuring voice that tells you "you can do this" is the best. Also, sometimes we forget to appreciate and celebrate our achievements. Our cheerleaders are also there to help us celebrate our accomplishments. In recent months, I have come to appreciate the importance of having cheerleaders.

How can you get the most value from your support groups?

• Communicate regularly - stay in touch with the people that matter.
• Meet regularly - if you have the option to meet in person, go ahead and do that. If you can’t, schedule a video call.
• Be open about what you need - you'll get the best advice and support when people know your needs.
• Give and receive - be willing to not only take from your groups but also share your resources.
• Be grateful - as with everything in life; you get more when you express gratitude for what you are given.

Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with some clever sayings and quotes:

• “Surround yourself with those who only lift you higher.”- Oprah Winfrey
• “Surround yourself with people who have dreams, desire, and ambition; they’ll help you push for, and realize your own.”- Anonymous
• “Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your dreams, encourage your ideas, support your ambitions, and bring out the best in you.” - Roy Bennett
• “Surround yourself with the dreamers, and the doers, the believers, and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.”- Edmund Lee
• “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambition.” - Mark Twain

Great Resources

• [TED Talk] Mastermind Groups: Why It Takes A Village To Raise An Adult | Jullien Gordon
• Supportive Community Around Your Work
• 15 Steps to Building Your Online Tribe
• You Can’t Achieve Your Goals Without the Right Support
• Five Rules For Selecting Your Personal Board Of Directors
• How to Build Your Support System in 3 Easy Steps
• Developing Your Support System
• 6 Tips For Building A Strong Support Network From Unlikely Sources
• How to Build a Supportive Community
• 5 Sure Fire Benefits of Having a Strong Support System And How It Can Help You Accomplish Your Goals