Dreams: The Importance of Your Core Team
This past Saturday, I celebrated my birthday on the heels of graduation earlier in the week. It was a blessing to be surrounded by some of my closest friends. Of course it gave way to a time of reflection, and that is what I want to share with you in your pursuit of hopes and dreams.
Here are five reasons why you need a core team on your dream journey:
1. You need encouragement First, most of the people around me Saturday have played a prominent role throughout my last few years. There was not anyone at the dinner who I had just met recently. Nothing against making new friends; you need to continue making new friends to grow in knowledge and influence, but you also need friends who know you. You need people with whom you have history in order to have a broader context and perspective. You need friends who can tell you how much progress you have made and also what you need to do to arrive at the next destination in your journey.
2. You need consistency Along those lines, you need a consistent core. I remember the first celebration I had with this group three years ago. Again, my birthday falls when everything is in flux – graduation, Mother’s Day and so forth – May is one of the busiest months of the year, and there is no avoiding that fact. As a result, three years ago, I was more than a little bit worried that I would have to celebrate my birthday by my lonesome. Instead, this group, that would become my core, carved out an evening for me in their schedules. This year, I had no doubts. They would be there. My core team made time for me, and yours will make time for you.
3. You need vulnerability Now you may be asking, “How did you find this group of friends that you can count on?” I would suggest two keys. First, you have to consistently make time to pursue what you want. Significant friendships and accomplishments don’t just happen. Second, when you are making time for your inner circle, you need to choose to go beneath the surface. To be clear, the idea is not to be vulnerable with everyone, but with your core group, you need to share both your highs and your lows. That’s what builds trust. That’s what builds relationships.
4. You need momentum If you have made it this far, you are well on your way, and that’s the point – momentum. We have already established that building relationships takes time and effort. It wouldn’t make sense to keep stopping and starting the process, then, would it? Find your group to focus on, and don’t spread yourself too thin.
5. You need variety Finally, if you look at the above picture closely, you will notice that there appears to be a variety of personalities and ages. That is not entirely by accident. Different ages and personalities keep you on your toes. They help you to see points of view you might have missed. In particular, older people can offer wisdom about the road ahead. Younger people can remind you of ideas you might have forgotten.
Do you have a core team? What’s one step you can do to build your friend group?