When we encounter a problem, one the first things that we’re programmed to do (often unconsciously) is assess the level of the risk the problem poses so as to determine the amount of resources (time, energy, focus) required to overcome it. As we scan our environment to evaluate our options, one of the factors that is taken into account is ‘do we have a tribe nearby?’
The level of threat is judged in relation to the level of support available to us. For example; is there someone to back you up? Can someone bail you out? Can anyone else help you to brainstorm a solution or offer alternative skillsets to help you overcome the problem?
The greater the support, the lower the perceived threat to the problem. Your tribe pools their resources (time, focus and energy) to overcome the problem together. Having a tribe or support team around you increases your sense of safety and conserves your resources so as to continue on your journey.
Low or no support will require more expenditure of your resources as you are solely responsible for finding and enacting the solutions. Being without a tribe you are more likely to experience stress, fatigue and anxiety from having to continuously solve problems on your own. Overtime your resources become diminished and your willpower to keep going burns out.
One of the hardest parts about starting a business is managing the multiple tasks required to get an idea off the ground. For a majority of us, we’ve established our wok habits from the time we’ve spent in organisations as employees.
While we sometimes lacked autonomy and purpose in those roles, we were more often than not supported by a team. When we go out on our own to start a business or achieve a goal, the never-ending to-do lists, challenges, setbacks and problems can derail our motivation and hinder our progress.
Research shows that working in group environments increases our ability to solve problems, come up with innovative solutions and ideas and better mange our time to break down large and complex goals into achievable steps. On top of that, we receive feedback that builds on our confidence, we gain access to new perspectives and the synergy of the group promotes the motivation required to take action and consistently work towards our goals. Hence why I’m hosting our 2024 Business Coaching Academy.
In my experience, goals are almost always achievable. Not necessarily in the timeframe or ways in which we initially expected, but with the right support we can and will make them happen.
3 Key Ingredients to Goal Attainment
Feedback
Feedback helps us to see the bigger picture, identify our blind spots and set higher goals for ourselves. It’s often something that we want to avoid out of fear of being wrong or losing favour with our tribe but is one of the most powerful tools for any successful business owner. Sometimes things don’t go to plan and we have to go back to the drawing board. Instead of seeing it as a failure or letting it stop you from trying again, ask for feedback and allow others to help you to figure out what went wrong and find an alternative way forward.
Collaboration
Collaborating with others on new or exisiting ideas fosters an environment for creativity and innovation to flourish. Together we find solutions to our problems in ways that we couldn’t have conceived in isolation.
Collaboration encourages you to expand your network and learn from other peoples perspectives which in turn expands your knowledge. The more knowledge you accumulate, the more data your brain has to reference when coming up with new ideas and ways to expand and grow your business. Don’t be afraid to learn from people who do things differently from you or who are from an alternative industry/fields of work from yours, it will expand your mind and creativity even further.
Networks are also one of the most powerful ways to passively build your audience and reach. A strong network of authentic and genuine connections = more people spreading the message about what you do to a wider audience on your behalf.
Leverage
Leverage is when you use something that you already have, such as a resource, in order to achieve something new or better.
the action or advantage of using a lever— Using ropes and wooden poles for leverage, they haul sacks of cement up the track.
We might not be able to lift a car with our own strength, but we can use a car jack to leverage the weight of the vehicle in order to change a flat tyre.
In the same way, when we get creative with the tools that we have available to us, we are able to leverage our strengths to overcome problems that previously felt impossible. When you discover new ways to leverage what you do have available to you right now, you’ll discover new opportunities that you hadn’t noticed before.
It also allows you to reflect on where you might be wasting your time as the founder of a business trying to do it all by yourself and instead identify what tasks you can outsource in order to get some of your time back. Leverage will inevitably fast track your growth and success with more ease.
JOIN THE 2024 COACHING ACADEMY—class starts Wednesday 7th of February. Limited to 10 x spaces (4 remaining)
4 x Group Coaching Calls
1 x 1: Business Coaching session with Kay
Access to online resources, courses, relevant industry networks and opportunities specific to your business
Accountability, feedback and support, A TRIBE!
GET IN TOUCH FOR QUESTIONS — hello@startupcreative.com.au
See you in class.