Finding a Supportive Community
BY MELANIE BARR
Being part of a supportive, empowering, and innovative community can mean everything when it comes to making life and business leaps. Having a community around us can help us realize goals we never dreamed we could accomplish.
I’ve been part of several communities where I know I would not have made career and life leaps without their support. I’m grateful to have been a part of them.
We all want to succeed at what we do and to live a life full of joy. At times we need someone to talk through our innovative and creative ideas, challenges, and business growth strategies.
The most successful people in the world have supportive communities around them, people they can turn to when faced with challenges and in times of celebration, and people who help them stretch and discover forward momentum. It’s also much more fun to build a business with a supportive community cheering us on, especially on the difficult days that we all experience.
Here are some things to think about if you are looking for a circle of support that’s right for you.
Find Your People
There was a time when I was looking for a community where I could meet interesting people, learn new things, and challenge myself for more with the support of others. I remember going to all different kinds of events, searching online, and asking friends what communities they had joined.
I knew there was a community out there for me, I just hadn’t found it yet. Then one day I attended a speaker series event. I loved the content and information, and the women on the panels. I felt like I belonged. I knew that if I became a part of the community I would grow personally and professionally, I would learn something from the people involved, I would make good friends, and — most importantly — I would have fun.
I had found my community and I had found a place where I belonged. The community helped me to gain confidence, build a trusted circle of friends and support, grow in my career, and have fun while doing it.
Knowledge
One great thing about community is the knowledge that comes with it. While it’s important to meet interesting, fun, and welcoming people, it’s equally important to find a community that helps you to stretch, learn, and grow.
It’s possible to find a fun and welcoming community but the important question is whether they will help you rise to your next level? When I was looking I wanted a community that was fun, where the people were welcoming, and a place where I knew I would learn new, interesting, and innovative content.
Progress
We know when we’re making progress because it feels good, and we feel the forward momentum. When we are not making leaps we usually feel stagnant, have lack of energy, and struggle to make decisions and move forward.
I’ve found progress and decision making to be like a muscle. The more we move forward the more we want to do and accomplish, and the more decisions we make the easier it becomes to make them.
When I was looking for a community of support, one thing I wanted to do was surround myself with people who were making progress — people who were making leaps out of their comfort zones and consistently stretching for more, and if they fell, they got up, dusted themselves off, and tried again.
Staying stagnant was not an option. They rested when needed, of course, and maintained self care, but prolonged stagnation was not in their vocabulary.
Offerings
Find a community that hosts events that you are interested in with people that you are interested in meeting, learning from, and learning more about.
Sure we’ve all been to business events, but I was looking for a business event where I could also have fun. It should not have to be one or the other. Business should be fun and enjoyable even on the hard days — otherwise, why are we doing it?
Life is short and we should follow our joy and interests to make an income and live. Even if we don’t do exactly what we love to make an income, there is nothing stopping us from doing what we love on the side. Find a community that hosts events that you want to be a part of, that you want to attend, and that you might want to be featured in one day.
Connection + Fun
My favorite part of a community is the women and people I meet through it, the knowledge I gain, and the fun we have when we are together.
The right community is fun and the people are fun, so we leave events thinking: ‘I’m so happy I took time out of my busy day and life to attend that virtual event or to spend time with those people.’
It’s the human connection and being a part of something much bigger and greater than ourselves. It’s accomplishing something great by supporting women in the world to shatter glass ceilings and encouraging each other to be successful in whatever that means for us as we define it.
Success looks very different for all of us. It’s what’s important to you, what means the most for you, and how you can find joy in making a living and a difference in the lives of others.
I wake up everyday thinking about how She Built It™ can support you and others, how I can create unique events that you would like to attend, and extend valuable connections that help you in your life and career. Am I obsessed? Maybe, but it’s an obsession that I’m proud of and I can only hope I’m making your life and the world a better place as a result.
If She Built It™ is the right place and feels like a right fit for you I hope you join us. I’m here and we’re here to support you.
Until next time! Keep growing and building your business, making the small daily and quantum leaps, and let nothing stop you from living the life that you crave.
With gratitude,
Melanie Barr
Founder & CEO, She Built It™