How to Create a Success Team for Your Life

I've heard it said that we are the composite of the five people we spend the most time with. There is probably some truth in that idea. The people in our inner circle have tremendous influence in our lives, whether we like it that way or not.

How many times have you excitedly shared an idea or dream or activity with someone only to be laughed at, ignored, trivialized, or told all the reasons it wasn't going to work? Maybe this doesn't bother you, but if you're like most of us, this kind of negativity wears you down. Before you know it, the idea or dream slips away, the life in it painfully snuffed out. Your life floats away on the whims of the people in your life, keeping you stuck in the status quo or trapped in circumstances.

Trust me, embarking on a life adventure is tough enough without being surrounded by people who drag you down. You need people who see the best in you and believe the best of you always. You need people who can hold the vision for you when you're losing your way in the midst of life's frustrations. You need people who bring out the best in you and encourage you always to reach just a little higher and farther with your dreams.

The good news is this can be an intentional strategy for success in your life. You can handpick your inner team and purposefully design an alliance with each of these people that will radically support you in following your dreams. Here are some things to consider as you begin to look at creating a success team for your life:

• Purpose: What do you need from your success team? Are they advisors, coaches, cheerleaders, or partners in your adventure? Do they help you refine your vision and create an action plan? Do they keep you on track with your plan? Do they bring unique skills to the table that fit well as actual partners in your mission?
• Qualities: What traits do you want the people on your team to possess? Do they have certain personality traits? Are they men? Women? Both? Do they bring specific experience, education, or skill sets?
• Structure: Do you want to meet together as a team or with each person individually? How often will you meet? By phone or in-person or online? Will you meet for a set length of time (like six months) or is it open-ended?

Now you may be thinking, "oh, I could never ask anyone to do something like this!" Maybe it seems selfish or like an imposition. Newsflash...people (especially people who love and believe in you) really do want to help! Think of someone you really care about. Don't you want to see them reach their dreams, and wouldn't it be an honor if they asked you to help them get there? Give these people in your life the same chance.

Identify those people who will help you get where you want to go...whether as advisors, partners, or cheerleaders in the journey. Clarify how you would like to be supported by each person. You might also want to consider how you can give back to these people. And then design an alliance with each one that addresses what you both need from the relationship. Don't be afraid to redesign the alliance as you go too if something isn't fitting quite right for either of you.

Once you have your success team in place, cherish these people, respect them, lean into them, and grow with them. Your success could well depend on it!