The Simple Growth Hack I Used to 2x My Success

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.

He is right. Who you surround yourself with can completely transform your career and life.

It may seem trivial, but having the right people around you can actually accelerate your career growth, motivate you to aim higher, and give you the tools to achieve your goals.

When you hear the word community what comes to mind?

I used to think of “fun”, “friendship” and “Leisure”.

I thought a community is just a social group that provides an opportunity to connect with like minded people.

Boy was I wrong.

If you find the right community it can become a career and business accelerator, not just a fun activity.

Let me explain how it works.

The science behind a transformative community

Remember that quote from the top of this email? We become the average of the people we spend time with. That is because as humans we have the desire to belong and fit in. So we strive to be like the people around us.

If you surround yourself with high achievers who invest in their personal growth, keep leveling up and pursuing ambitious goals, guess what will happen to you?

You’ll start doing the same.

Seeing this kind of behavior over and over again will eventually convince you that it is the norm. It will change your belief system about what’s possible and what is acceptable, and drive you to take action.

Essentially finding the right group can inspire and motivate you to work on your goals.

Want to start running? Join a community of runners

Want to become a people manager? Join a professional group of leaders

Positive peer pressure and our natural desire to "fit in" will help shift your mindset, gain confidence and actually go for it.

The real value of a community

2022 was my first full year as a business owner. I spent the entire year building my business from the ground up on my own. By December I was overworked, confused and lonely.

I tried so many things but wasn’t sure what to focus on. I didn’t have benchmarks or role models I could follow, so every decision seemed daunting. I worked so hard, and yet I felt like I was standing in place.

“If only I could talk to other coaches who have been through what I’m experiencing”.

And then it hit me. I need a community.

So I started asking around and reaching out to awesome women coaches on LinkedIn and that’s when everything changed. One of the coaches I spoke with, a fierce women leader who has been in business for more than a decade, invited me to join a mastermind she was hosting.

I got to meet fellow coaches in different stages of building their business, I learned what worked and didn’t work, I shared my own experience, and was given priceless advice from business owners who were a few steps ahead of me.

Within a few weeks I went from feeling lonely, confused and lost to feeling focused, energized and motivated. My business grew 2x faster, I was able to work less hours, and make a bigger impact.

The hidden benefits of joining the RIGHT community:

Not every community will change your life, but the right one absolutely could.

So what should you look for?

SMALL - it’s harder to gain value when you are part of a community with hundreds of people. An intimate environment is more impactful in my experience. 10-30 people is the sweet spot.

SHARED GOAL - you want to be surrounded by like minded people who have shared values and shared goals. That’s how you are going to grow in the right direction.

RESULTS - you want to join a community that has people who are further ahead of you. You want to be surrounded with people who have what you want to have, or are at least a few steps ahead on the journey.

What happens when you join the right community:

1. Increased Motivation: Being around other high achievers can help you stay motivated and inspired to achieve your goals. You may feel more driven to succeed when you see others around you accomplishing great things.

2. Improved Confidence: Being part of a community of high achievers can help boost your confidence in your abilities. Seeing others who have succeeded in your field can help you realize that you too have the potential to achieve great things.

3. Increased Resilience: Being part of a community of high achievers can help you build greater resilience in the face of setbacks and challenges. Seeing others overcome obstacles can inspire you to persevere through your own difficulties.

4. Reduced Stress: Being part of a community of high achievers can provide a supportive environment where you can share your concerns and challenges with others. This can help reduce feelings of stress and isolation.

A community is a shortcut to success

Whether you are hoping to level up, pivot, become a leader or hit your salary targets, joining a community of people who are doing the same will help you get there faster.

As one of my managers used to say “together is better”.

And in this case, together is faster and more efficient.

Go find your community. It could change your life.

I believe in you and I’m rooting for you.