How to be Successful - The Importance of Supportive Structures and Systems

It’s important in life when you’re feeling low, have an illness, or when a close family member is ill, to have a network of supportive family, friends and neighbours you know you can call on when you need them.

And it’s the same in your business.

The time to think about who and how people can help is before you actually need that support. And it’s also helpful to speak to those people beforehand so that they’re happy for you to put your trust in them! Again these may be family or friends, but they are more likely to be work colleagues or team members who can carry out everyday tasks in your absence. However this only deals with emergencies and unplanned events.

What about on a day to day basis when you’re feeling lost, stuck, scared or confused?

What about when things don’t seem to be working but you’re not sure exactly which things or what to do about them?

What about the ongoing support you need - for clarity, focus, confidence and motivation?

Often you either

Hide away, trying to sort things out yourself and feeling less and less confident about your ability to make ‘this business thing’ work for you.

Or

You network like crazy asking for advice from other well meaning business women who don’t know enough about you, your business or what you want from it to offer meaningful advice, and who might even be in the same position as you!

This can lead to frantic activity like getting promotional materials printed, revamping your website, or spending lots of time on social media. And frankly, much of this activity can be a waste of your time! Unless you’re clear on your strategy, your plan and why you’re doing what you’re doing. And unless you’re consistent in your approach and monitor its effectiveness!

So what’s the solution to getting support that is truly helpful to you and your business?

It’s to be honest with yourself and to connect deeply with some-one or some people who have a real understanding of you, your business, your lifestyle and financial goals.

Because your truth is where authentic connection and success begins for you. And fear and judgement, and you comparing yourself to others (instead of to your own truth) is where you cut yourself off from meaningful success.

What I hear from so many women in business is that in this age of greater social connection, of more and more interaction, of easy access to businesses and information, there are more and more 'relationships' but fewer real 'connections'.

So what can you do to get really honest with yourself and to connect with those who understand and can help and support you?

Here are my top 2 tips…

Success Tip #1

Actively look for someone who resonates with you, someone who speaks to you. Someone who appears to have been where you are now and has achieved the type of success you want for yourself and your business. Don’t follow others on this, follow your own heart.

Success Tip #2

Connect with that person, coach, mentor or leading light in your field. Ask them questions, engage with them and make a decision about working with them if you feel they really can support you. If not – move on – there are plenty of wonderful business mentors and coaches out there. Set your intention and actively be on the lookout, and you will find the right one for you.

And a Bonus Tip

When you find the right person it’s likely there’ll be other aspirational business women in her community too. Reach out and connect deeply with some of them so that you can support each other in a more meaningful way and hold each other accountable not just for your actions, but also to your highest and best self.

Because when you develop deep, meaningful relationships with people, you feel truly supported. You’re able to be fully honest with yourself and fully authentic with others. And this truth is what allows you to get clear and focused, and to step into meaningful success.