Do you have people who have been (or currently are) very instrumental in helping you make the best out of your life? Most likely you do, simply because no man is an island. Life cannot and will not thrive in an environment where there is no support system. I have many times thought about how we would live if there was absolutely no one around to help us navigate through this journey called life. What an awful experience it would be. It has been said and proven that success leave a trail which is easy to follow when that’s the right trail for you to be on.
How do you find out the right trail you are on? There are three types of people you need to have in your life and they will help you find out your trail and if you find it already, they will help you stay on it and get the most out of it. No matter what field of endeavour or industry you are engaged in or passionate about, here are the three types of people you need in your life:
- Mentors: Mentors are more like big brothers or big sisters. They have been in your shoes and have already discovered what the trail you are on leads to. Mentors can save you a lot of time and unpleasant experiences by telling about their own experiences and what their results were. Mentors will let you make your own informed decision and will observe you from the sideline as you evolve and create your own story from the outcome of your decisions. Getting a mentor is easier than most people think. For the asking, almost anyone you admire who has left or successfully followed a trail will help you get through the journey to the top. If you are clear about how someone will help as a mentor to you, go ahead and make your request. The worst thing that could happen (in most cases), you will get a no and live to tell the story. Mentors are indispensable compassionate allies.
- Coaches: Coaches are mostly results oriented. They might not have walked the trail you are on or even know what is on the trail, but they know how to get the best of you. For example a football coach might have never player football, but he might be an expert in football strategy who knows exactly what players of team A can do on the field to win against team B. The coach will play the game for team A but if the players in team A follow the guidelines and strategy from the coach, they will more times than not, win the game. Coaches for individuals work the same way, you tell them what you want and they will help you walk the trail until you get it. If you don’t know what you want, a coach can help you get clear on what you want, then proceed on working with you to make sure you get it. Coaches are strategists who are result oriented.
- Cheerleaders: Cheerleaders are unconditional supporters. They might not know or even understand why you do what you do but because they care about you and love you, they cheer you on. They know you will eventually be successful and get what you seek. Cheerleaders believe in your potential and ability to experience great success at whatever you do. Without cheerleaders, more dreams would be aborted during their initial conception than imaginable. Cheerleaders are those people who believe in you when you stop believing in yourself. They are an essential must have!
Of course you can and should have more people in your life, like friends and family. But as it applies to your personal and professional growth, you must have mentors, coaches and cheerleaders. Is there any other type of people you think one must have?