When most people think of an entrepreneur, they envision an individual—someone who is independent, autonomous and solitary.
However, every wildly successful entrepreneur knows that you can only go it alone for so long.
Throughout my journey to personal and professional success, I have found time and time again that being part of a Tribe saves me. This support system of brilliant, like-minded individuals not only adds to the joy and experience of being an entrepreneur but is also elevates everything I create.
Without my Tribe, I certainly would not be where I am today, continuing to grow and evolve in my purpose and mission.
Some of you might be thinking: I can do it all myself. I’m smart and capable. After all, I’ve already gotten this far.
That might be true. But if you’re ready to UP-LEVEL—and stay there—then you need a Tribe. A community of individuals who believe in you and sincerely want you to SUCCEED.
There was a time not all that long ago when I, perhaps like you, thought I could do everything myself. I was living and traveling around some of the most phenomenal places on the planet while running a successful business, all alone much of the time. And then it hit me. I was in a gorgeous beachside condo in Italy beside one of the most famous grottos in the country when I realized: I needed and wanted to connect deeply with other like-minded individuals if I was going to grow my business and myself. Because what’s the point of having your dream lifestyle business if you don’t have anyone to share it with?
There are two primary types of Tribe that entrepreneurs are a part of. The first is the internal community within your business—your team, company, etc. By now you already know that I don’t believe in solopreneurs—if you want to scale your profit and exponentially grow your potential to make a difference int his world, then you must delegate and build an empire that supports you and your mission.
But the other type of Tribe—and the one I’m specifically emphasizing today—is the community of like-minded people who surround you. Those entrepreneurs on a similar journey who can sing your song back to you when you forget the words.
The journey of an entrepreneur is hard. Everything will unfold exactly as it should, but there will certainly be difficult times along the way. There will be moments when you have to scrimp and save. Moments when you need to make hard decisions. And those will be the times when your community sweeps in with the exact advice they wish someone had given them when they went through similar struggles.
Then there are the times when you’ll want to celebrate. When you’re overflowing with joy about a new opportunity or finally meeting a financial goal. And it’s just as important during these moments of celebration to have a Tribe that is sincerely happy for you and your success.
I’ve also found that it’s celebrating the little victories that keep us blazing on. Don’t underestimate having someone to share the ups and downs of the journey with.
A Tribe means exponentially more resources than you have alone. Think about that time you needed an answer to your tech question, or a video made, or social media help. If only support was a quick call, text or email away! Well, with the right Tribe, it is.
A community means more minds, more experience—and thus more money—for everyone involved.
It might start small with a giving and receiving economy where you help each other out on quick and easy support. And then this relationship might develop into paid support, where you get the help you need while also feeling GREAT about helping your community to build their dream business, too. Either way, something as simple as having a second set of eyes and hands on your sales copy can be the difference between a massive launch or wholly flatlining.
Ask for the resources and skills within your community, and then give back with your unique brilliance when the time is right. Good tribes know you’re all in it together. If you succeed, then they succeed, too.
It’s a beautiful thing to have a Tribe of like-minded individuals who can provide to each other when needed.
My dear friend Mike Hrostoski always says your Tribe should follow the “Rule of Thirds.”
One-third of your Tribe should be exactly where you are at. These are the people you turn to when you need someone who understands just what you are going through. You’re in the same state of the journey at the same time.
The second third of your Tribe are those who are working their way to where you are at. Maybe you’re teaching them, running workshops for them, or simply offering counsel when you can.
The final third of your Tribe are those people who are more advanced in the journey. They are gong to pull you and inspire you to get to where you want to go. Maybe it’s reaching that seven-figure business. Maybe it’s impacting more people. This is the part of your tribe that will mentor you and provide the shortcuts you need to achieve your goals faster.
To achieve a balanced Tribe like this, you have to be intentional with the community you surround yourself with. Otherwise, you might constantly feel like you’re not good enough if everyone is farther along, or feel like you’re having the life sucked out of you because you’re only giving and not receiving.
Your Tribe is one of the most powerful mirrors in your life. They reflect back what they see that we simply cannot. But it’s more than that. What we see in them is also alive and thriving within each of us. If we can see these qualities in them, then we can find it in ourselves and channel that into our businesses and creations.
This is one the most potent things that has happened in my life. I actively choose powerful spiritual and intuitive service-based loving entrepreneurs as friends. I spend the majority of my time with them. We are all the product of the five people we spend the most time with; choose wisely. And then intentionally surround yourself with at least a hundred people who you resonate deeply with. Who know you, support you and LOVE you.
Tribes have been around forever. Whether it’s a spiritual Tribe such as a church or a community Tribe such as a neighborhood, people have always strived to connect to other individuals and ideas.
One age-old characteristic of a Tribe is that there is a leader. However, in a modern-day Tribe, there are many leaders. Every one of us can step into the leadership role to share our unique gifts with the collective. And that’s the beauty of it—we each benefit by stepping into our greatness and supporting those around us. It’s an opportunity to live the truths you believe and, like true trailblazers, be the change we wish to see in the world.
One of the most fantastic books I have read on Tribes and community is Seth Godin’s book by the same name: Tribes. If you haven’t read it, I would suggest picking up a copy or, at the very least, listening to Godin’s TED Talk on the same subject.
In Tribes, Godin essentially argues that each and every one of us have the opportunity to make a massive change in the world and create a movement by bringing together Tribes of like-minded people.
According to Godin, “A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea. For millions of years, human beings have been part of one tribe or another. A group needs only two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate.”
But it’s not just about being a part of these communities. It’s also about stepping up and leading them.
“Leaders lead when they take positions, when they connect with their tribes, and when they help the tribe connect to itself” – Tribes
That is exactly why every entrepreneur needs to find their community. This new paradigm tribe mentality isn’t about laziness or complacency—it’s about cultivating, choosing and actively participating in a community that is expanding, growing and leaving a lasting impact that is much more profound due to the collective effort of the Tribe.
If you still haven’t found your Tribe or community yet, get out there and start looking! If you’re completely stumped about how to find the right group of people for your community, then I suggest starting with the Trailblazer’s Retreat. Community is a massive component of the Trailblazer’s Retreats, and I guarantee this is a great place to get started finding your Tribe.
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[…] epic destinations in Southeast Asia. But no matter the why or how long, you’re guaranteed to find amazing minds to meet, befriend or even collaborate with. I was only in Chiang Mai for a few days, but of course there was an awesome digital nomad meet-up […]