Creating a Powerful Support Network: Guest Expert Post by Deborah Osgood
This month’s Passioneering theme is “Creating a Powerful Support Network” – that is, how you build a cheerleading team to support you in thriving at what you love and making a difference in the world.
Deborah Osgood is Cofounder/CKO of Knowledge Institute, experts in small business development, education and entrepreneurial communities including www.BUZGate.org. Recognized for Excellence in Business Services, Enterprising Woman of the Year, and SBA Women in Business Champion, Deborah has successfully launched of over 57 entrepreneurial resource communities, developed and published several training programs, written numerous articles, and volunteered countless hours consulting, presenting, and personally mentoring thousands of business professionals and young adults around the globe on issues dealing with how to start, grow and succeed in their professional endeavors. You can reach her at: www.BUZGate.org Click here to hear here June 2009 Blog Talk Radio interview with her.
Below is Deborah’s guest blog. Thanks Deborah and Happy Passioneering
Building Support Networks
By Deborah Osgood
Into this world we arrive on our own and we depart on our own. While here, however, we don’t have to go it alone.
In fact, most anything worth experiencing in life happens while working with and through others. This includes parent-child, employer-employee and entrepreneur-customer relationships. In each case, taking the time to step back, expand your consciousness and identify your objectives will provide a great foundation for making connections that support a meaningful, purposeful and joyful life.
Family Support Networks
Family is one of the most common support networks since the dawning of mankind. At the same time, it can be the most complex. In yesteryears, family support networks came from local community where the butcher, the baker and candlestick maker represented a network of give and take relationships. Today, these same give and take exchanges remain important, yet how we develop them is a lot more complex.
Support is available through local face-to-face exchanges, or through social media and other global networks. This includes support for most any interest or need, such as physical, mental, spiritual or just plain fun. Simply use a search engine, enter the key words specific to your interests, and then “reach out and touch someone.” A site like MeetUp, for example, helps people with shared interests connect by meeting or forming online clubs in communities around the world.
Career Networks
We can spend 40 hours a week working, plus travel, plus time getting ready and winding down. In total, this might mean 10 to 12 hours a day, 5 days a week working. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to “do what you love, and love what you do!” While easily said, figuring this out and finding a way to do it, can be challenging. One place to start is using a no-cost career self-assessment and planning tool. In 4 easy steps, you’ll have a better idea about what you want and where to go to get it. LinkedIn can also be a useful no-cost option, particularly for professionals seeking to network about business or finding a job.
Entrepreneurial Networks
As a result of current economic conditions, many individuals are looking into starting their own business. Just like family and career, building support networks in this area is important to progress. Fortunately, there are thousands of no-cost governments and nonprofit business assistance programs across the country to help you start, grow and succeed in business. This includes help with business planning, counseling, marketing, franchising, funding, import/export and most any business question you can think of. A good place to begin is BUZGate.org, which is a free state-by-state directory of business assistance agencies, information and resources.
In summary, a meaningful life is all about “think it, learn it, do it well.” Be sure to take the time to know what you like to do and then build and nurture your support networks so that you don’t have to do it alone.
I checked out that link for the career networking and it was very helpful! Thanks.