There is no I in Abundance.
Independence should have been on my resume under hobbies and interests, the mantra for every move I made, was “I’ve got this” for most of my 20s and even 30s. Uncertain if it was my ambivert-ness, first born-ness, manifesting generator-ness, distaste for group projects in school or desire for independent thinking, my first attempts at everything was a solo mission.
After years of gritting through personal and professional battles, every task feeling like I was on a mission to the moon, alone, without the fuel to get me there, I realized I couldn't do it alone. There is no abundance in doing everything alone.
Tenacity comes from within and when pointed at your north star, goals jump from a brainstormed vision into reality. Moving through the world, no matter my the level of willpower, requires a crew and a solid framework to help me elevate or change my life and career.
The need for support was never more obvious than when things weren’t going my way–a loss, a dip, a missed opportunity or deep upset at work or my heart. Periods of lack embody the dark hole I tried to crawl out of without anyone to throw me a rope from the solid ground above me.
Abundance needs a buttresses as much as times of scarceness . From Elon Musk to Kim Kardashian to NBA players everyone has trusted experts and friends to consistently level up, transform or contribute to the bigger picture.
In the past 5 years, when I knew my career’s purpose and the long road ahead, I exhaled into my ecosystem of support. Like a board of directors, with my biggest goals looming ahead of me, I finally allowed myself to fill in the spots at my Support System table.
Check out my must have support structures. This isn’t a list for anyone who wants to stay in the status quo.
Expanders- Fictional - Wendy on Billions is my fictional expander. She takes things too far for my liking but has the brilliant ability to cut to the chase with clients in a formal setting. Her fire keeps my energy going.
Out of this World Mentors - I recommend adding 1-2 seats at your table for anyone in your industry or industry adjacent whom you’d love to meet or work with but it feels out of reach in real life people. These are expanders in the manifestation world. These people show you what is possible and rewire your nerves to level up. This list can change as you meet or connect with mentors at events, conferences or in their DMs.
Co-ed chief of staff - Men and women have different perspectives, different brains and different life experiences. My male colleagues and friends often shake up my thought processes that do not allow me to use my old excuses. They often simplify things for me and always have great just in time solutions.
The 2nd ring Board Members
For Hire- This is where you get to add a member (or class or certification) to your entourage who you pay for services– a therapist, coach, pr consultant, and agent, a designer. This should be edited every quarter to keep fresh and not get stuck with one voice.
I used to avoid anything like affiliate groups, masterminds, book clubs, mom groups and volunteer organizations, however, in mid career, leveraging 1-2 key relationships from a small group of like minded folks, you’ll recognize the infinity loop of giving and receiving. The @ MTHR Collective is a great community for me, constantly supporting and elevating moms in the wild.
The no BS friend or colleague - I have two people in these seats for those who have known me a long time, through thick and thin and are not related to me. These people push your buttons in the best way possible and can also share a laugh over ‘the good ole days’
Have you allowed yourself to ask yourself: Who supports your goals? Who supports your physical and mental well-being? Who supports fun? What supports abundance in your life?
Not only are many of these relationships but professional and personal but this strong community provides much-needed support, laughter, mentorship, friendship, and a soft landing or a kick in the pants, depending on what I need at the time.
