The value of the human bond can easily be taken for granted. We hunker down and bury our heads in our work and daily grind, never looking up for the help that could lighten our loads, both mentally and spiritually. It has long been suggested that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others. Almost four centuries ago John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” Webster’s defines a support system as a “network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support”. A good support system is like a spider web. Each communication comes in like a thread and many threads coming in from all different directions – parents, friends, coworkers, business associates – all converge at the center to meet you, creating a strong network and support for whatever it is you do or are going through. Our support connections change throughout our life. When we have children, our support may come mainly from our parents or other couples with children. When we have health issues, our support may come from our doctor, our family, our church. In business, it may come from other business owners or even clients. But typically, we are wearing many of these hats at one time, so our support system should be huge! Ecclesiastes 4:10 says,”…woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help lift him up.” Don’t take this tool for granted! Gather together a support group for yourself. Find people with similar life situations or business goals. Success teams are a great support group idea for business. Banding together with other open-minded business owners and colleagues to plot out the blueprint for achieving your goals will get your creative juices flowing and keep your direction clear. Who better to bounce your ideas, questions and problems off of then than your peers? And don’t forget that not only is your support system good for you, you’re good for your support system. While others are helping you through your trials and discouragements, you are learning the most effective ways of helping others. In turn, you are able to pass those benefits along to others in your system. Applied knowledge is wisdom!

“Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo