Build a circle that pushes you to grow

Maria and Bob had mission statements written on napkins for every project they’d ever dreamed of—schools in far-off places, nonprofits to empower refugees. Yet despite all the vision-boarding, days passed without progress. Then Bob’s daughter suggested a simple idea: “Tell your friends what you’re doing.” Within twenty-four hours, Bob got calls from three childhood classmates—one a marketing director, another a logistics expert, and a third a graphic designer—each offering help. Suddenly, the whiteboard sketches turned into action plans.

Studies on social networks show that our close contacts strongly influence our behavior and commitment. When you share your ambitions with someone who believes in you, that belief becomes a powerful external motivator. Bob and Maria found themselves reporting weekly wins—no matter how small—to their volunteer board, which kept the momentum alive during inevitable setbacks. The board’s combined expertise also unblocked bottlenecks faster than Bob and Maria could have managed alone.

By making a conscious choice to surround themselves with growth partners, they transformed sofas-and-coffee cooled brainstorms into concrete steps. This approach fused accountability with genuine care and gave rise to an ecosystem where every setback became a shared challenge, not a private defeat.

Reach out to two people who’ve seen you at your best, share your most daring ambition, and ask if they’ll join you in regular check-ins. Let them know you want honest feedback and that you’re ready to offer the same. By building a small circle of champions, you tap into shared experience and amplified commitment—so you all move forward together.