It Takes a Village

I saw this video of Arnold Schwarzenegger the other day. It was just a video that someone had posted on Facebook or Twitter, and I?m not really sure what made me watch it, but it turned out that Arnold said something very profound that stuck with me. I don?t remember his exact words, but essentially he asked people to never call him a self-made man, because along the road to his success were so many people who helped him on his way.
That idea struck a chord with me because I think that it is so completely spot-on. There are very few things, if any, that we can succeed in in life that are true solo endeavors. On the contrary, most significant achievements involve both teamwork and a good support system. They require a solid outside perspective, resources and skills that you yourself may not possess, or even just someone who is going to challenge you and push you a little harder.
This is the very reason why people hire mentors and coaches and why the tribe that you choose to surround yourself with is so important.
Recently, I was surprised to learn what a group effort is involved with writing a book, something that I had always assumed was more of a solo project. I?m now in the final stages of completing my first book and in the course of its development have grown and nurtured a supportive community of fellow writers, early readers of my work, my publisher and editor, ?my cover designer, all the publicists and other publishers who have offered additional advice and guidance, my family who tirelessly offer encouragement and constructive criticism? then there are the folks on the periphery who ask about the book and who help keep me focused on finishing it when life tries to get in the way.
I?m sure I?m forgetting some of the people who have helped, and for that I apologize, but hopefully you get the idea. Every single one of those people has played an important role in bringing the book to fruition.
In business, the same thing is true, but of course the list is much longer. You get into employees, support staff, strategic partners, suppliers, clients, affiliates?
And then there?s the thing that not many people want to talk about. Sure, it?s easy to find support for your business when things are going well and the money is flowing. But what about during the tough times? Who do you have on your side then? The answer might end up surprising you, if you ever happen to find yourself in that situation.
It?s a tough way to find out who your real friends are, but it?s also a valuable lesson, and one that you must make a point to remember once your fortune improves. For, the most important lesson in the whole ?village? concept is that you?re part of someone else?s village too, as you help them to build their dream.
So, appreciate the people who show up for you, then pay it forward with gusto. That?s how we build the things that really matter, and isn?t that what we all want, on some level?