Let me ask you something…
What does “community” look like in your life? Where are you finding accountability and support?
It is my sincerest hope that you are able to answer that question with a clear and concise answer.
Something along the lines of:
“Community in my life looks like __________________.” or
“I find community and support through _____________________.”
This shows intentionality.
The ability to clearly identify and define the sources of community present in your life tells me that you’ve taken the time to make finding and/or building community in your life a priority.
In my humble opinion…this is good!
That being said…this simply isn’t the reality for many of us. For many individuals today, pursuing an intentional community is not a high priority.
Think about it…
We’ve glamorized the “lone wolf” persona and our culture often views being “fiercely independent” as something to aspire towards. I find this problematic for a number of reasons.
Now, please hear me…
I am not saying that it’s bad to be independent. And I’m certainly not advocating that being exceptionally needy or co-dependent is something to desire.
I am suggesting, however, that there are some struggles that inevitably come from walking through life (or business) alone. In other words, there is a cost to not pursuing intentional community.
Here are just a few of the drawbacks I see coming from a life lived without community:
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- Lack of Motivation or Focus
Let’s start with an analogy. Cars all need some sort of fuel to help them run. Sure, some cars get better fuel economy than others. A Honda Civic can cover more miles between fill-ups than a Ford F150…but eventually, all cars will need to refuel eventually.
The same is true when it comes to our motivation, focus and drive. I don’t care how naturally driven or motivated you are, there isn’t a person on this planet that can maintain focus, drive, or motivation indefinitely. Eventually, we all need to “refuel.”
Finding an intentional community of motivated peers is a great way to boost our motivation or regain our focus when our own independent drive just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Living life without a solid source of accountability and support is like taking a road trip without stopping for gas. If you drive long enough, eventually the car will peter out and stop moving.
- Lack of Motivation or Focus
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- Self-Imposed Limitations
Here’s the truth: we are all intimately acquainted with our own flaws. We know (very well, I might add) the exact places we struggle. We know our own insecurities and challenges like the back of our hands.
Because of this…many of us struggle with self-imposing limitations upon ourselves and what we believe we are capable of achieving. Essentially, we lower the ceiling for ourselves and, by consequence, achieve less than we are truly capable of.
Other people stretch us further than we (typically) will stretch ourselves. Through their example and encouragement, we are willing to reach higher or go longer than we would otherwise. This is the power of a good community! The cost of not having one is high.
- Self-Imposed Limitations
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- Lack of Inspiration
New ideas are rarely created in a vacuum. Inspiration typically comes from experiences and (you guessed it) interactions with other people.
- Lack of Inspiration
I’m willing to bet that most of your greatest accomplishments began as an idea inspired by:
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- Something you witnessed another person do.
- A word of encouragement or challenge spoken by a friend.
- A conversation that lit a fire in your heart.
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See what I mean? Inspiration is often sparked from relationships.
I truly cannot stress enough the many ways in which pursuing an intentional community can benefit your life. The cost of not doing so is pretty significant, my friend.
In fact, I believe so strongly in the importance of community and the ways in which it can enrich your life, that I’ve created an online, virtual community specifically designed for this purpose.
In The SandBoxx Community, you’ll find your sounding board! This powerful group of motivated leaders offers support, accountability, connection, and education to help you increase your impact in life and business.
Come join our community today!
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
