Surround Yourself With The Right People: Why Entrepreneurs Need A Strong Community
Entrepreneurship is not always easy, and it’s more than likely that you will face challenges where you question your decision to start the business in the first place. It’s during those moments when you really need to draw from your support system, which includes your friends, family, mentors, advisors and other entrepreneurs in the same space as you who have also had similar experiences. Whether you meet with them in person or keep them close online through social media, having a strong community of people around you can help you to weather any storm that comes your way.
Isolation and loneliness will hinder your success
In order to accomplish what you want in life, you need to surround yourself with people who will support you and motivate you. They might be your friends, coworkers, mentors or family members – just make sure they’re people who are positive and encouraging. If you feel like there’s no one around to help you reach your goals, then it may be time to invest some time into finding a mentor or peer group that can help keep you accountable. You never know where your next idea for success will come from!
Opportunities may come from unexpected places
There’s a lot of entrepreneurial wisdom around community. Successful entrepreneurs are extremely picky about who they let into their inner circle, which has always been one of my favorite pieces of advice. There’s so much truth to it—I can’t tell you how many times opportunities have come from within my community that I wasn’t expecting. Never be afraid to say yes and find ways to add value. You never know where it might lead!
Have different kinds of relationships in your life
Don’t surround yourself with people who constantly bring you down. Don’t be afraid to politely distance yourself from negative or toxic personalities, and don’t let anyone force you into a friendship or relationship that you aren’t comfortable with. When it comes to work relationships, be mindful of surrounding yourself with people who are open-minded, supportive and collaborative. These kinds of relationships can be rare in professional settings, so hold on to them and nurture them as much as possible.
Step out of your comfort zone
When it comes to creating and growing a business, there is no doubt that being successful means taking risks. But stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t just about business or even risk. It’s about who you are as a person, who you want to be and what you stand for. In our community, being surrounded by like-minded people is not just a slogan—it is a fundamental part of who we are as individuals and entrepreneurs.
Focus on quality, not quantity
Entrepreneurship can be extremely lonely. It’s important to focus on developing strong and genuine relationships with people who are not just going to be positive and encouraging, but who are also interested in helping you become a better person, entrepreneur and leader. When you surround yourself with these types of people, it makes life much easier—and allows you to grow at a higher rate.
Influence others positively
It’s hard to get ahead without positive support, especially when it comes to your entrepreneurial pursuits. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will lift you up when you’re down and celebrate your successes. Try not to be close-minded; be open to ideas and suggestions from a variety of sources. When someone offers an idea or criticism, try to see where they’re coming from before reacting. You never know what valuable information you might pick up along the way!
Keep in touch
It’s important to remember that you’re an entrepreneur because you’re very good at what you do and have a passion for it. So if you see someone or meet someone who might have a passion for your industry and what you do, keep in touch with them! It might not be in your time frame of 6 months or a year down the road, but when (if) it is, reach out to that person.
Bring positivity into their lives
When you’re an entrepreneur, you work long hours—at least, it can feel that way. It’s easy to get bogged down by negative thoughts and emotions, which may cause you to burn out faster. Make sure to bring positivity into your life. Surround yourself with positive people and meditate daily. As part of their morning routine, successful entrepreneurs start each day with at least 10 minutes of deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Understand what you have in common with someone before hanging out
When people start a company, they are super motivated, but often don’t fully understand what it takes to get their business off of its feet. I always hear stories about how someone quit their job, decided to start a business and then had no one to hang out with except other entrepreneurs. Don’t end up like that—understand what you have in common with someone before hanging out.