NOVEMBER 25, 2022
“Don’t do Life alone.” Life may be difficult at times, but life is still good, as long as you continue to build strong relationships. We all need to learn from others in becoming the best versions of ourselves which means we will need to; Know ourselves, follow the right path; make sure we take the right people along with us; and be prepared for the end of our careers and our earthly lives. In navigating your own life, don’t be anxious about it. Just write down your plan and surround yourself with others that will help “Lift” you along the way. (You just might be doing the same for them) We all need guidance by others our entire lives. Why not do it with someone that is fun, that loves us, and has mutual respect as well?
Building and growing your own personal “Board of Directors” is an important and valuable way to include others. If interested, find people that will fit into the following slots. It might be two or three individuals; or you might get lucky and find someone that meets many of these needs. Find those that have YOUR best interests at heart:
Mentor: Look for senior people who can share their experience with you personally or professionally. Find someone that can; mold you into a better version of yourself by believing in you more than you might believe in yourself. Find someone who will introduce you to new ways of thinking; and challenges your limiting assumptions, all while sharing valuable life lessons. Once you find your own voice, turn around and help others find theirs. That makes for a great team.
Coach: Find someone who challenges, praises, develops, and shares successes and failures with you. Remember; You will need to be coachable in learning from others.” Find a coach that will help you paint your own masterpiece of life. Share and discuss “The Elevator Guy 7 L’s theme” of: Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning, Leading, Listening, and leaving a lasting Legacy.
Teacher: Find those who care more about your success and are willing to share their own story to guide you along the way. Remember, “Don’t compete, complete.” (You will both win in the end) Find someone who has already been through the war. Find those who see the good in others and are not afraid to share it. And remember, a good teacher is also a good learner and listener.
A Close Friend: Achieving your goals will have extreme highs and lows. It is important to have someone in your corner who you can vent to about the ebbs and flows in becoming WHO you want to be. Someone you are comfortable with bearing your feelings to, without worrying about judgment. Making sure you are fostering relationships with the right people is key to putting you on the right path to success.
Includer: Find someone who is naturally accepting of others and non-judgmental. They have a keen awareness (instincts) that draw others in. An includer shows an awareness of those who feel left out and makes the effort to include them. These are your top notch teammates that hold the group together.
Cheerleader (Sponsor): Having someone who can talk about you is just as important as someone who can talk with you. A sponsor can speak to your strengths and abilities when you are not there. Sponsors already have a seat at the table and advocate for you to have one as well. (See Covey’s “8th Habit”)
Connector: Find someone who knows everybody and is capable of picking up the phone on your behalf. Network their relationships, resources, and power built through years of being in a certain field, to get you in contact with the right people. (“It’s not always WHAT you know but WHO you know”)
A Point Expert: Find someone who is an expert in their field. It might be a doctor, attorney, teacher, or your local banker. This person has most of the answers and is always willing to make you privy to information you may need to elevate your position personally or professionally.
Healer: Find someone that assists your wholeness with your body, mind, a spirit. A priest, pastor, doctor, CPA, attorney, or therapist. Someone that is “uplifting,” invigorating, and mending. Think of the nurturing mother who kisses little Johnny’s cut. “How did that make it feel?”
Peacemaker: Find someone who makes peace, especially by reconciling parties with disagreements. They become your broker, buffer, mediator, middleman, go-between, diplomat, conciliator, a person who settles an argument and stops a fight.
Role Model: Find someone who is living the life you desire for yourself. I often think of my parents, siblings, and Jesus. When I was young, I thought of Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, Dirty Harry, (eek!) and The Three Stooges. (Yikes!) Be careful not to become too enamored with them. Remember, no one is perfect. There was only one of those. Just be more intentional about filling your bucket with those who can see the truth, beauty, goodness and unity in YOU and in this world.
Lots of slots to fill yet so rewarding once you activate the process. Don’t worry about getting deep with each one of your directors. You will know when you find that one person you can share the deep; fears, distractions, doubts, and obstacles in your life. Get started with your plan today, then build as needed. Be intentional in keeping your own “life workbook” by writing names down and meeting with them on a regular basis. You just might surprise yourself in finding the clarity needed for your life by doing life with others and not by yourself. However, be mindful that the world is not all about you. Filling these slots will also enlighten and “Lift” those that you choose. That is a WIN/WIN for both parties. “Don’t do life alone.”
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day; “A coach has some great questions for your answers; a mentor has some great answers for your questions.” Unknown