3 Tips for Finding Like Minded People To Accelerate Your Business Growth

At some point in time upon realizing that you’ve been bit by the entrepreneurial bug, you can expect this to happen:  Your friends will suddenly appear like aliens, who speak a different language and no longer understand who you are and what you desire to do with your life.

It’s normal.  It happens.  But, it can take you a little by surprise like it did for Ron:

“Hi Darnyelle I think I’ve always known that I was supposed to be an entrepreneur.  Now that I am starting to realize my dream of having my own businesses, I am realizing that the people I’m hanging around don’t ‘get me.’  They are content working for someone else.  How should I handle the fact that the people in my life aren’t entrepreneurially minded?”

Watch my response to Ron’s question here:

At the end of the day, you want to have a strategic cross section of people with whom you spend your time.  As Jim Rohn says, you are the average of the five people with whom you spend the majority of your time.  So you want to be clear that those you spend time with are adding value and helping you to achieve your core goals and objectives.

But, that doesn’t have to mean that you get rid of your current friends.  Having friends who offer a varying perspective can be a true benefit to your ability to be a well-rounded entrepreneur.  And, even entrepreneurs need time and a safe place to let their hair down. 🙂 I would recommend that your current friends be people who understand your goals, who offer a nonjudgmental environment and give you space to pursue your dreams.  As long as they can do that, you should continue to find a place for them in your life.

As you decide who you want to spend time with, consider these tips to guide you:

1. Build a friend/associate description.  Taking the time to get crystal clear about who you need in your life to help you to achieve your goals is a great way to make sure that you are actively building a circle of influence who can help you do what you desire to do.  Remember, write the vision and make it plain so I recommend you consider each area of your life and identify the kinds of people you need for each area.  As a bonus, think about the type of mentor you’d like and need to achieve your goal.

2. Evaluate your current circle of influence.  Take the time to rate the people who are currently in your life.  If you can clearly identify if they help or hinder your goals, it will be easier to determine your relationship with them moving forward. I actually recommend that you review them at least quarterly to ensure that you are not wasting time with people who aren’t adding value and offering support.

3. Join a networking group or association. Once you identify the kinds of people you need to be around to fulfill your goals and objectives, seek them out by identifying networking groups or associations where you can spend time, network and potentially even strategize with the kinds of people who think like you think, work like you work and focus like you focus. So ask yourself, where are people who are just like me already gathering together for education and opportunities?

Bonus: Find a mentor and join their mastermind group.  Once you have a level of clarity around what you need most to achieve your goals, you’ll likely find yourself gravitating to a specific expert in your industry.  Once you do, take them in – attend an event, listen to their products and consider joining a mastermind group led by them. This is a great way to learn and meet like-minded people who are qualified to be your joint venture partners. Once you establish a relationship with a mentor, you will be able to get guidance, support, accountability and like minded colleagues in the same place, which will help to make your business an Incredible One®.

On a personal note, while I have a few friends that aren’t entrepreneurs, they all understand me and support me so we don’t have a source of contention.  The most important thing is to make sure the people around you believe in you and support you no matter what. And keep in mind that entrepreneurs are not the only creative and innovative people… some of my best ideas came from my friends who go to a 9-5 every day, so don’t sleep on the people in your life!

Now, I want to hear from you. What’s your two cents?  How have you dealt with the need to find new friends because your current circle isn’t entrepreneurial? Be sure to leave a comment below to let us know how you’ve been able to build relationships that add value on your journey.

©2013 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, MBA, The Incredible Factor Speaker, Business Coach and Marketing Mentor, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com, Incredible Factor University® and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System®, a proven step-by-step program for more clients, more income and more leverage in your business. For more information and a FREE audio CD “7 Critical Mistakes Entrepreneurs Must Avoid When Unleashing Your Incredible Factor So You Attract More Clients, Make More Money and Gain More Leverage” just fill out the form below.

 

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One Response

  1. When it comes to starting a business, it’s smart to surround yourself with people that think similarly to you. This can aid your business or, if nothing else, help you gain knowledge you can use in other aspects of life.

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