NOTE: This is a rerun of an article I posted back in 2016 and still applies today. Connection is vital!
A Girl Squad that is. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Taylor Swift has assembled quite an entourage of helpful girlfriends. The squad seems to keep growing, but it looks like 15 might be the latest count. The photo shows how much a few of the squad members earned in 2014. “The more they hang out, … the more lucrative the sisterhood – or Swifterhood, if you like – becomes,” says the DailyMail.com article.
There’s a lesson in this for all of us. We all need one of these! It turns out that success is a team sport. Who knew? We’ve all been led to believe that it’s a solo activity. But what if, just maybe, your challenges and defeats weren’t caused by personal inadequacy, but the result of not having the right support in your life? The right ENVIRONMENT. In fact, it’s really common to blame ourselves and think that it’s a personal problem on our part if we can’t be awesome all by ourselves. Think about the ideal put forth of the Lone Ranger. He was, after all, called the Lone Ranger
But, if you think about it, even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. We all need at least a Tonto. Though, I’d suggest a group of four incredible women, counting yourself that is. Ones that you respect, admire. Ones who support who it is that you are becoming.
In a survey that I conducted of professional women ages 22 to 60+, I found that only 10% had a group of women that supported them regularly both professionally and emotionally. And, that this 10% were among the most professionally successful of those surveyed.
Some hints for who to put in your group….design it around who you are becoming. If you are becoming a writer, look for other writers to hang out with. If you are becoming an executive, where are your executive buds? Having people you need around you is a key piece of your environmental support. (Contact me to learn about all 9 aspects of your environment that you can design.) Interestingly, our environment usually reflects who we either have been in the past or are currently, NOT who we are growing to be.
I’ve got my own Girl Squad, although we call ourselves The Coven.
It took me years to realize that support from other women was an absolute must. I went solo for way too long, feeling isolated, not making much progress and blaming myself. Don’t do what I did and let years go by! If this sounds familiar, then get yourself your own Girl Squad, Coven or Lean In Circle.
Or, join me for my next cozy, personal, supportive group starting very soon.
BeBrilliant Group Coaching – starting Nov. 19, 7 pm, 4 weeks, $267. Limited to three incredible women.
Together we ARE better.
