As much as we embrace the notion that “friendships formed in childhood don’t last a lifetime,” we also want to hold onto the idea that as we create new connections and build fresh relationships, they can significantly shape and enhance our careers. The relationships that you choose at this stage of your career life Are expected to contribute to your professional growth and success which is why adulthood may require that you filter the type of people you want to have around you.
What type of people should make up my circle?
Only you can decide who you want in your circle. But, you must make sure that they:
- Support and encourage you through it all.
- Share the same values with you.
- Trustworthy and reliable
- Push you to be a better version of yourself
- Provide valuable advice when you need it.
- Bring on new ideas that you can find beneficial.
Your circle can consist of your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, or anyone at all that you feel safe with and inspired by. The purpose of having this circle is to be surrounded by people who make you feel secure, supported, and respected regardless of each person’s role in your life.
How can my circle help my professional life?
Some people do not believe in the concept of having anyone around or needing some support. However, the solid truth is that we all need somebody – a person or people who would effortlessly and willingly contribute to our personal and professional lives. If you are not aware of how much a good circle can influence your career life, see what we’ve written here:
You can pick yourself up at your lowest in your career journey
A good circle will ensure that you are not “a quitter” even when the going gets tough. While you are struggling to find the resilience you need to fight your hard times, a good circle will stand as a support system, providing you with the motivation you need to persevere when things get difficult. The steady support of your circle can be the difference between giving up on your career and achieving success in your career journey.
Good proximity to Opportunities
If you have a rich circle, it is easier for you to bag opportunities such as job openings, collaborations, and top-tier projects. Also, during times when you have no single idea how to milk an opportunity, they can provide a roadmap that they think should work by either introducing you to the right people, recommending you for positions, or directly offering you the opportunity if it is within their power.
You get free and rich feedback
If your circle is filled with very intelligent and mentally attractive people, they will see things from a different perspective and give their opinions about it. For instance, if you are working on a project and you need to know what someone else thinks about it, the people within your circle can give the project a thorough run-through and return with constructive feedback. It is this feedback that you leverage to produce a better result because improvements have been made.
You can get the exposure your business needs
If you are a business owner/entrepreneur, then having a supportive circle is a good deal for you. Your influencer or popular friends can introduce your business to a lot of people. It can be as simple as telling a friend to tell a friend and some other friends. The exposure can cause you to be recommended which in turn leads to more clients and customers. Also, you can collaborate with the people within your circle, resulting in a mutually beneficial business plan.
You will climb up the success ladder faster
Having a team where you all strive to be better can, in the long run, be competitive, pushing you to do even more. This creates an environment of continuous self-improvement and you are constantly inspired to set higher standards for yourself and your work. Also, a competitive spirit can lead to increased accountability because your peers within the circle will challenge you to meet your goals and fulfill your commitments, ensuring that you stay on track.
A good circle will always have a good impact on your career life which is why you must leave your comfort zone to meet and connect with people. With a better network, you can expand your horizons and reach greater heights in your career.
