03 Oct Building Your Life Team: Unlocking Success and Balance

No one achieves a successful, well-balanced life without the help of others. We often ignore or underestimate the power of a support system, a network made up of professionals and confidants willing to provide us with the guidance and assistance we need in the myriad areas of our lives. 

In the past I had the attitude that if you asked for help you were weak. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I struggled and failed and was defeated until the age of 50, when I finally learned the power and freedom that comes from building a Life Team. 

Your Life Team provides a network of support. What is the makeup of a Life Team and how do these experts help you achieve your goals? 

Read on.

Life Coach

An invaluable member of your Life Team, the Life Coach helps clarify your general feelings and intuitions about where you want to go and turn them into specific, well defined goals. They help you recognize and overcome obstacles to develop a strategic plan to reach your full potential. 

A Life Coach also provides guidance, accountability, and support throughout your personal and professional journey.

I am a life coach and I also have a life coach.

Example

Whenever I work with clients, one of the first things I do is help them determine their non-negotiables. Knowing your non-negotiables sets you on the path to achieving the goals right for you. They guide you to take action steps that are in line with your core values, desired lifestyle, and beliefs. 

Many people don’t consider their non-negotiables, especially in their daily life. This is just one of the ways having a life coach on your Life Team is invaluable.

Fitness Professional

Physical well-being is an integral part of leading a balanced life. A fitness professional will design personalized workout routines, provide guidance on proper form, and motivate you to embrace a healthy lifestyle. The way to a strong mind is through a strong body. 

Example:

A Fitness Professional will create an effective exercise plan designed specifically for you. Workouts will be based on your specific fitness level and include exercises selected to encourage you to stay committed to your fitness goals. 

Not everyone responds to the same exercise programs in the same way. Some people might be at higher risk of injury than others for certain exercises. Others lose motivation when given workouts that are too strenuous for their fitness level. 

Hiring a professional will ensure that your workouts are safe, you get results, and you actually enjoy them. In my experience, if you don’t enjoy your workout, you probably won’t stick with it.

Health Care Providers

Having the right health care professionals is crucial for maintaining your physical and mental health. This group includes doctors, therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists who can address your concerns and provide expert health advice. Specific health issues require professionals with specific expertise.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many types of health care providers, which has given me insight into the importance of choosing the right health professional. Do your homework.

I changed doctors several times before I found one that I felt a connection with. Find the right person for you, not necessarily the person all your friends recommend.

Example

Your primary care doctor will schedule regular checkups designed to monitor your health and detect health problems early on in the cycle. For specific issues, they will connect you to specialists in the appropriate fields.

Don’t underestimate the value of good nutrition over ultra-processed food. A nutritionist will help you develop a balanced diet with real, nutritious food that supports your overall health goals and makes you feel at the top of your game.

Mental health is a vital component of a balanced life. A therapist will offer strategies to manage stress, improve mental well-being, and navigate emotional challenges.

In my experience, having someone I can talk to who isn’t intimately involved in my personal life has helped me build confidence with who I am.

Why? Because therapy gave me the validation I needed to know that my feelings — at least most of the time — are not unreasonable and not a reflection of my character.

Financial Professional

Financial stability is an essential aspect of a balanced life. A financial professional can help you create a budget, manage debt, plan for the future, and make informed decisions regarding investments and savings.

Example

It wasn’t until I met with a financial professional that I understood the value of tracking my money, from deposit to expenditure. My lifestyle became much freer once I gained control of my spending and saving habits. 

At first, it was painful to acknowledge all the holes that were draining money from my financial bucket. But knowledge really is power. Plugging the holes soon made me realize how all those dollars lost could add up to many more dollars saved in a hurry.

Meditation and Breathwork Coach

Incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and promote mental and emotional well-being. A meditation and breathwork coach will lead you in cultivating these practices and experiencing their profound benefits, not only mentally but also physically. 

Example:

A meditation and breathwork coach will teach you various techniques to calm the mind, improve focus, and manage emotions. They can provide personalized guidance and help you establish a regular practice that supports your overall well-being and teaches you how to breath more effectively. 

Since my son’s death, meditation and breath work have been one of the most effective tools I have to help me through episodes of stifling grief.

Supportive Friends and Family

Although professionals are crucial components to Your Life Team, never underestimate the value in the support of loved ones. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends and family who uplift and encourage you can significantly impact your well-being and success.

Example

My circle is small but mighty. Knowing that I have people who genuinely care about what and how I’m doing provides me with the most amazing sense of confidence and equanimity. 

My circle expects me to live according to my highest standards, but no one gives up on me if I sometimes fail to uphold those standards. 

I lived most of my life not allowing people in. Once I let myself become vulnerable and open to true friendship, I gained a sense of security and wellbeing I had never felt before.  In addition to that, I will also add that in my personal experience keeping my circle small has brought me more peace and less drama.

In Conclusion:

In the pursuit of a successful and balanced life, it’s important to acknowledge that you can’t do it all alone. Building your Life Team allows you to leverage the expertise and guidance of others. Taking advantage of their expertise and genuine love will help you navigate the complexities of life more effectively, achieve your goals, and maintain a healthy balance and sustainable success.

Listen, I’m not suggesting that you run out and hire everyone on this list now. For one thing, the expertise you need later might not be the expertise you need now. I’m suggesting that you consider the life experience you want to have right now and then move forward to find the right people to help you achieve it. 

Remember, success is not solely determined by individual achievement but also by the strength of the team that supports you along the way.

Assemble your Life Team and unlock your potential to have all and create your Audacious Life.