As women and emerging professionals in business or leadership, we know the feeling of constantly being pulled in a million different directions. We have a lot going on that we put our time and attention on. Work, families, households, relationships, and often at the bottom of the list, taking care of ourselves. Add to that our career goals and aspirations, and it can be tough to find time to focus on them, especially when you’re also trying to maintain a healthy personal life.
One of the biggest mistakes I made in my corporate life was that I didn’t reach out when I was struggling. I told myself that I couldn’t let anyone know that I didn’t have it all figured out. I ran the story in my head that if people knew I was struggling, they would judge me and I would be found lacking or not enough.
What I’ve come to realize is that we all need people in our lives who can help us navigate our challenges, both big and small. These people will give us honest feedback (whether we want to hear it or not), help us stay accountable to our goals, and be there for us when things get tough.
That’s where a personal board of advisors comes in. Having a group of people you can rely on for guidance, support, and accountability can make all the difference as you navigate your career journey. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some tips for creating your own personal board of advisors.
Before you can start putting together your personal board of advisors, you need to take some time to think about your goals. What do you hope to accomplish in your career? In your life? What kind of advice do you need to achieve those goals? Once you understand what you’re looking for, you’ll be in a better position to identify the right people to help you get there.
So how do you go about creating your own personal board of advisors? I’m glad you asked. Here are a few tips to help you!
Determine your primary objective.
First, make a list of the areas in your life where you would like support. Look at Career, Health & Fitness, Relationships, Finances, Family, Spirituality, or any other area of life that is really important to you. Next, where are you the most out of alignment, and could you use some guidance? For example, what is your career competing with that is creating some stress in your life? Getting clear on this gives you guidance on who you can approach. Some things you could be looking for direction are anything from career advice to relationship counsel to financial guidance. Focus on what is most important to you, not everything.
Find the Right People.
The next step is to start identifying potential members of your personal board of advisors. Look for people who are knowledgeable in the areas you’re interested in and who have the experience that can be helpful to you. It’s also important to find people who you feel comfortable talking to and who you can trust to give honest feedback. Who are the people that are already achieving what you would like to create? Who do you admire? This will provide you with a thread to follow in putting together your board. Make sure you have a blend of personal and professional advisors to guide you.
Set Up Regular Meetings
Once you’ve identified a few potential members for your personal board of advisors, reach out to them and set up regular meeting times. This can be weekly, monthly, or even quarterly – whatever works for you and your/their schedule. During these meetings, you can discuss your career goals, seek advice on specific challenges you’re facing, and get feedback on your progress. For this to work, however, you must be transparent and consistent – only sharing the good stuff and reaching out infrequently won’t cut it!
Remember that your personal board of advisors is there to help you achieve your goals, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. If you’re feeling stuck, reach out to your advisors and see if they have any suggestions. And if you’re making progress, be sure to let them know! Keeping the lines of communication open will help ensure that your personal board of advisors is truly effective in helping you achieve success.
I’d also love to hear from you. Share below some of the ways you’ve used a personal board of advisors and where you found them.
Until next time, here’s wishing you the Clarity (and advice) you deserve!
Want more Clarity in your way forward in work and life? Grab your copy of the Clarity Workbook and uncover the answers you deserve at www.ClarityWorkbook.com.
