Why Building a Community of Like-Minded Individuals Who are Solid and Supportive Makes Sense
Community adds meaning to life and creates stronger connections between you and the world around you. There are many ways to build your community. It is all about what is realistic and fun for you. It does require effort and attention to develop new relationships. Talk to those you care about and actively listen to them as you are building your community of like minded individuals.
Increasing resilience means building a strong support community. You don’t need to have many people in your support group, but it’s important to reach out and make new connections when needed. I had to do this when I left my job as a classroom teacher, gave away my long-time real estate clients, and came online as a writer, publisher, and entrepreneur in 2006. I found that building a community of like-minded individuals started with deciding who I really was and then finding the people I resonated with in the new city where I was living. These people were at the Rotary meeting and part of various charity events and fundraisers I soon became a part of in my daily life.
A community is strong catalyst for a meaningful life. Having others to share our highs and lows with gives a stronger sense of purpose and acceptance. When we’re going through difficult times, it’s of the utmost importance to hold on to a community.
Other people can serve as guideposts, cheerleaders, and supporters when we let them in. Building a community of like-minded individuals is a vulnerable thing to do because you have to reveal parts of yourself that show you might not be perfect. It might feel scary at first, and then it will feel freeing and relieving. And it’s okay if you do not agree with everything your new friends say and do.
Try these techniques to build your community of like-minded individuals:
Analyze your community. Look at the people around you and examine your relationships with them. Do they need to be closer? Do you need to meet more people? Are there ways you can open up? Strengthen connections. Bonding with friends is important, and you can do so by inviting your friends to participate in activities you’re interested in.
Doing things you enjoy with the people you care about is a great way to build a stronger connection.
Allow time for conversation. Actively listen to your friends by responding to what they have to say and staying off of your phone. By getting to know your friends better, you’ll allow them to get to know you better.
Join a group. Rotary was the first group I joined and now I am a part of several special non-profits. You can find local groups of people who are interested in things you love. Engaging with them frequently will give you a group of people that you can confide in and rely on.
Communicate
Communication is a skill that is indispensable for getting around daily life. Working on communication skills will enhance the connections you have with others and build new bridges as you are building your community of like-minded individuals.
The first thing to think about when it comes to communication is listening. Talking is important, but nothing will get done if someone isn’t a good listener. Actively listen to those you’re engaging with. You can do this by making eye contact with them, facing them, and really listening to what they’re saying.
If your mind is wandering, that means you’re drifting from the present moment. Bring your attention back to your conversation.
Be aware of your body language when you’re with others. Much of what we say is said with our body language. Relieve any unnecessary tension in your body, relax your arms and shoulders, and ensure your arms aren’t crossed. Closed-off body language sets a negative tone. Open and positive body language is better for conversations.
Show confidence when speaking to others. If this is something you struggle with, that’s okay. Practice is the only way to get better, and you’ll become more comfortable. You can increase confidence by standing tall and being aware of what you say. Speak thoughtfully and listen carefully.
Having confident body language will help you become more confident mentally.
Remain Accountable
When you have a community, you have a group of people who can support you through rough times. When you’re struggling, they will help you to help yourself up. When you’re celebrating, they will celebrate with you.
These kinds of connections add a stronger sense of purpose and meaning in life. If you’re hoping to implement some changes in your daily routine, you can call on people in your community to hold you accountable. You can do this by letting your friends know what your goals are and when you would like to complete them.
For example, if you’re hoping to go to a yoga class by Wednesday, let some of your friends know your goal. Once Wednesday rolls around, they can ask you how your yoga class was. If you’re nervous to attend a yoga class, you can ask one of your friends to join you to ease the stress that trying something new can bring.
Having a strong community builds resilience by ensuring that you have people who have your back
If you’re going through a difficult time, you can rely on your support community to provide encouragement and guidance. If you’re stuck in a rut and are not sure what to do next, you can consult your community. They can offer new perspectives and give you ideas for solutions you had not thought of.
You never have to worry about being a burden on your support system. They can offer a light in times of darkness, and you can do the same for them when they’re struggling. The purpose of a community is to have a place where you feel accepted. By feeling accepted, you’ll find a stronger feeling of hope. Others can help bring you back to reality when you have tunnel vision during a difficult situation.
In case you’ve found this post and need a refresher on the 8 skills you need to live your life with inner strength and mental toughness, here they are:
- Develop your understanding of resilience and mental toughness
- Enhance your emotional regulation skills so you are in control
- Take full responsibility for your situation to grow exponentially
- Build a solid and supportive community of like-minded individuals
- Practicing gratitude and forgiveness for yourself and others in your life
- Strengthen your relationship with yourself with a morning routine
- Move your body throughout each day to keep blood flowing to your brain
- Challenge yourself regularly with new skills and projects
I’m author, publisher, and entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and would love to connect with you. If you’re new to the world of online entrepreneurship and “inner game” thinking please check out my training on how to sell yourself at Sell Yourself and Your Stuff and learn how to gain an unfair advantage when it comes to building a lucrative online business. I’m here to serve you!
Thank you Connie for this inspiration. I tend to be an introvert and am not always thinking about reaching out to others to purposefully build a community. I don’t have difficulty listening or speaking with others … I just prefer associating with a close group of already established family, neighbors, and friends. I guess I tend to cherish a limited number of deep relationships over having an enormous number of “casual” or “every so often” less personal acquaintances.
Thanks again, especially for the 8 skills you’ve identified. Now I’ve got my work cut out for me!
Thank you for stopping by, Steve. Yes, I am an introvert as well, and that’s why online marketing and authorship are so appealing to me. The key is to reach out in a manner that is comfortable for you to connect with others and build your community. Every day I use email, text messages, social media messaging, and even “snail” mail to reach out to those I seldom see in person. This is effective and continues to enhance my life experience.
Connie Ragen Green