FR#12: You Can't Have Community Without Self-Acceptance

I used to think that I didn’t need anybody. I thought if I was good enough, skilled enough, talented enough, that people would come to me.

To me, “Networking” was a dirty word that brought up thoughts of stale phony meetings with bad coffee and dry snacks, where you were supposed to trade business cards with people you hardly knew (or liked).

That line of thinking, combined with my self-imposed pressure to have it all together and appear perfect, left me feeling isolated and hurting in my business. And it couldn’t have been further from the truth.

We NEED people in our lives. Friends. Peers. Mentors. Community.

It’s the only way to succeed and actually enjoy the journey too.

In this episode I dive into the reality that nobody is self-made, where true influence comes from, and how your insecurities and fears can be your greatest tools for winning people over.

Key Takeaways:

0:50 - Why I used to think “Networking” was a bad word.
1:45 - Why I was REALLY afraid of being a part of my professional community
2:45 - Why being alone led me into a bunch of struggles
3:55 - Why we might be afraid of being real with people
5:00 - How to build true respect with people. It’s probably NOT what you think.
8:33 - The single mindset shift that frees you up to being part of a community.
9:53 - Why it’s more effective to be a student teacher than being a guru.
Quote: “As long as you speak your truth, you maintain your power.” – JD Star