Who's on your team?

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Good morning, 66.1ers.

Who’s on your team?

Someone told me the other day, “No one grows alone.” They weren’t referring to any particular domain, just life. Whether that’s knocking off the rust and allowing the right energy into the world so you can attract your future spouse, or it’s taking control of your finances, or it’s taking control of your health, you won’t make near the progress you want to (or could) without building your team. 

I read something similar in Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich recently. He suggests building a “committee” to help achieve your goals. That works too. 

In a Mayo Clinic meeting last week, Dr. Andrea Cheville asked what were the common factors among the patients our study is best able to help? Among the top were a supportive spouse and family, as well as a socially oriented goal for reducing pain (i.e. “I would like to get back to playing golf with my friends” or “I would like to be able to get on the floor to play with my grandkids”). Surely by now you’ve read about the importance of relationships in longevity?

My point here is that if you want to change your life, you’re going to need help. That’s not a weakness. It’s an opportunity. Admitting it is a sign of strength. 

But whose help do you need? I see 4 roles that are of utmost importance.

Cheerleader

They’ve got enthusiasm and positivity from sunup to sundown. Quite possibly a friend who’s already in your life. The person who makes you smile and laugh all the time. Every time you tell them you’re going to tackle something big and ambitious, they say, “Awesome. How can I help?”

Truth teller

This one is tough to come by. Not because they don’t exist, but because we often don’t let them into our lives. You see, humans like to be comfortable. Because discomfort implies a problem. A problem implies a need for change. A need for change implies work to be done. And work to be done means you have to work! But if you don’t let yourself discover the truth, then you don’t find the problems and create the work. You also stay stuck where you’re at. Your choice.

I’ve found success with the truth teller being someone outside my immediate circle, so they aren’t afraid of damaging an existing friendship. Also helps when they’re paid to tell you the truth so 1) they don’t hold back 2) you’re more open to hearing it. Done well, this person will make you feel like you’re standing in a room of mirrors, discovering all the stuff about yourself that needs to change. Curious what having a truth teller in your corner could be like as you retake control of your own health? Book 15 minutes here.

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