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The Power in Establishing Support Teams
by: Martha Lanier
Have you ever had an incredible idea only to have it shot down by friends or
family? Just because someone is a family member or a friend is no guarantee
they will support you in reaching your dreams or goals. If they are not
motivated or goal oriented themselves, they may not want you to be more
successful than they are. Some people are far more interested in holding you
back than pushing forward and being left to eat your dust.
They may ask questions like, "Why would you want to do that? That's a dumb
idea and besides, what makes you think it'll even work? Boy, think how
stupid you'll look if you fail." Suddenly you begin to doubt yourself and
then the fear of failure begins to creep up and consume you.
Think of this same situation except this time you share your idea with
people who are positive, motivated and have dreams of their own. They say
things like "Wow, that's exciting! What can I do to help you? When do you
want to get started?" Can you see the difference in the energy and support?
No idea should ever easily be tossed out. Consider establishing teams that
will help you refine and implement your ideas. Develop one, several or all
four of the following support teams to help you reach your goals.
Personal Team
Make a list of the people you know who are positive, motivated and have
goals of their own. Be selective of who you share your goals and ideas with
so you can be assured of receiving encouragement. Don't allow negative
people to zap you of your energy and momentum.
Mentors
Other teams can consist of mentors or people who are already successful in
what you want to do. Do your research and make a list of about five
individuals you can contact. Call or write to them saying you admire who
they are and the work they are doing. Do they have any words of
encouragement for you or suggestions on what you can do to follow in their
footsteps? Most people are flattered that you've asked them and will share
advice with you. You have nothing to loose by contacting them and who knows,
they may open doors for you along the way and at the very least give you
some great advice. Why reinvent the wheel when someone else has already done
it? You may as well profit from their experience.
Advisory Board
Another type of support group is to form an advisory board. Ask people to be
members of this team whom you admire for their advice and expertise. You can
share new thoughts or marketing plans, even ask them to proof read your work
or just bounce off your ideas. When asking them if they'd like to join your
board, let them know that they will always have the option to be an active
member or pass on various projects when their schedules don't allow the
time.
Mastermind Group
The most powerful support team you can have is a mastermind group. Today
more and more successful people are reaping the benefits of being in a
mastermind group. If you don't know of one you can join, then create your
own. Select about six highly motivated and positive individuals whom you
admire for their energy and expertise. They may or may not be in your
particular field, but they must share your attitude, determination and
commitment to succeed. Establish your ground rules, such as will you have a
confidentiality agreement, how often will you meet, will it be in person or
by conference call, who will conduct your meetings, how will you be
accountable, what is your format? When you get together, be prepared to
brainstorm with each other, lookout for what happens next and use the energy
generated by this team to reach your full potential.
My mom used to say, "You are who you associate with" and now I understand
her words. If you want to be positive, surround yourself with positive
people. If you want to be successful, associate with successful people. Take
the time to create and develop YOUR success teams and see how far they will
take you in fulfilling your dreams.See Also:
Build Your Business by Building Relationships
Building relationship to build your business is just like planting a seed to grow a tree. Relationships that thrive and turn into customers, alliances or referrals have been nurtured over time with these techniques.
6
Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Business
When you first think about starting your business there is a lot
of excitement and hope. However after the first rush of
adrenalin, you realize that you are not as confident as you
thought you were. Nagging doubts about your ability to achieve
success start to creep in.
How To Start a Small
Business
Starting and managing a business takes motivation, desire and talent. It also takes research and planning.
Like a chess game, success in small business
starts with decisive and correct opening moves. And although initial
mistakes are not fatal, it takes skill, discipline and hard
work to regain the advantage.
Are You Stunting the Growth of Your Home Business?
This article looks at the growth stages of a typical
one-person home-based business and how to gradually grow your business
without being run over in the process.
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About The Author:
Martha Lanier, President of IGNITE Your Potential, Inc. helps ordinary
believers become extraordinary achievers. Her programs focus on personal
empowerment which results in increased productivity both personally and
professionally She can be contacted by email at martha@marthalanier.com
or visit her website at
www.marthalanier.com.
Copyright 2005, 2006 IGNITE Your Potential, Inc. All rights reserved.
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