What are your tribe doing to you? How your circle impacts your life
Have you ever thought about how the people you hang out with, people in your tribe, have a profound effect on so many aspects of your life? This could be your personal development, your business, your motivation and even your mental health. Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial, and I want to delve into that today, drawing from my own experiences. This is the blog version of the podcast below. There’s a LOT more in there- listen here or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Does our tribe influence us?
I’ve encountered this theme many times in my life, and it continues to be a significant aspect of my journey. When facing challenges like a lack of motivation or feelings of pessimism, it’s essential to look at ourselves and what we can do/are doing, but we must also consider the impact of the people around us. The way our tribe feels and behaves directly influences us, and the ripple effect of this can be huge- whether that’s positive or negative.
One popular thought, often attributed to Jim Rohn, suggests that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. However, I believe that the influence extends beyond just five individuals. In Seth Godin’s book, called Tribes, he explains how these groups, vital for survival in the past, now represent the supportive people around us who lift us up and support our journeys.
Mastermind is a great example of the positives of a good tribe
Thinking about this, I thoughts about my experiences with Mastermind, my membership group, which is a tribe I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. This community shows, day in day out, the positive impact of a tribe. The supportive community within Mastermind facilitates learning, sharing, and overcoming challenges. Being surrounded by individuals striving for growth significantly impacts on the motivation of others. It’s magical to see. But when you see it and understand the power that the community/communities you’re involved with has, it’s a bit of a game changer.
Another example is connected to a qualification I’m working on. I’m currently pursuing my ILM Level 7 in senior and executive business coaching and mentoring—a challenging journey (it’s the equivalent of a Masters in nine months) made better by the supportive cohort. Here, everyone brings something to the table, the vibe on our training calls is brilliant, and the Whatsapp group chat carries this on beyond the sessions too.
As we navigate through life, sharing our highs and lows with our immediate circle, we must observe how their responses affect us. If our tribe is supportive and genuinely excited for us, it positively influences our motivation and energy levels. Conversely, a negative or pessimistic tribe can weigh us down, even affecting our pursuit of ambitious goals.
Tribes extend to social media too
Expanding this concept to social media, the content we consume and the people we follow contribute significantly to our mindset. Being mindful of the impact of online connections is crucial. If our feeds are filled with negativity, it can seep into the way we feel and think. And this isn’t OK.
The people we surround ourselves with, both in-person and online, influence our mindset and, consequently, our success and happiness. It’s crucial to assess the impact of our tribe and, when possible, curate a positive and supportive circle that aligns with our goals.
Shameless plug alert! I mentioned Small & Supercharged Mastermind earlier, but it really is an incredible place to learn, develop and grow your business. Find out more here.