| p>"You can't help someone get up a hill without getting | | | | - Your life feels richer and fuller. As you form more |
| closer to the topyourself." | | | | connections, you recognize that each one, whether |
| --H. Norman Schwarzkopf | | | | they're acquaintances, colleagues or intimate friends - |
| Is it better to go it alone or navigate life with a support | | | | serves a distinct and meaningful purpose in your life. |
| system of friends, colleagues and people in your | | | | Sound impossible? It's not. Start by thinking through the |
| community who care about you and what you do? | | | | following questions and you'll have a good sense of |
| Most people probably nod their heads and say, "Yes, | | | | how to build a network that fits your lifestyle: |
| of course; establishing a support system is important." | | | | - What does support look like to you? How do you |
| But in practice, our tendency is to believe that | | | | feel when you're being supported? |
| operating alone shows resilience, strength and a stiff | | | | - What's working in your current support system? |
| upper lip. | | | | What's missing? |
| What constitutes a support system? It's a collection of | | | | - What "rules" do you make up about asking for help? |
| friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances who | | | | For example, I recognized a rule that it was only okay |
| show a keen interest in listening, discussing and guiding | | | | to hire a babysitter for my son when I needed |
| - without judgment. "Without judgment" is key. You | | | | coverage for work - rather than for fun or self-care. |
| can't support and judge at the same time. It's not | | | | - What does your ideal support network look like? |
| possible; if someone tells you it is, run the other way - | | | | How many people? What environments? How would |
| fast! | | | | you ideally communicate and interact with your friends, |
| What stops us from building a strong and vibrant | | | | family or colleagues? |
| network? Perhaps we want to show the world that | | | | - If you could order the perfect support system, what |
| we're strong and invincible. After all, we think, wouldn't | | | | would change? How would you benefit? Get clear - |
| asking for even occasional assistance give the | | | | write it down and post the description in a prominent |
| perception that we're vulnerable? We fear these | | | | spot. |
| consequences - whether they're real or imagined. And | | | | Imagine receiving an abundance of support. Imagine it |
| this hurts us - personally and professionally. | | | | at home, at work and anywhere else that's important |
| Yet cultivating a healthy support network nets many | | | | to you. Imagine knowing there's a safety net beneath |
| benefits: | | | | you at all times - people prepared to catch you if you |
| - You feel better on all levels - mentally, emotionally, | | | | fall and ready to celebrate you succeed. |
| physically and spiritually. | | | | Most importantly, remember that life is not a solo act. |
| - Your productivity increases. Look at any successful | | | | We're meant to be interdependent, to connect with |
| person and you'll see an individual surrounded by an | | | | others, to form communities of like-minded people. |
| active support network of friends and advisors. | | | | So get out there! Weave a strong, healthy support |
| - Your health improves. When we rely on a support | | | | network and watch yourself grow and succeed |
| system, our stress decreases and we rely less on | | | | beyond your wildest dreams. |
| other props, including food, alcohol or overwork. | | | | |