Day 24 Goal
Your goal today is to find people in your field/working in your topic area.
This includes:
- Those at the “next level”
- Peers who are doing similar or the same work as you
- Mentors who can offer guidance and advice
You do not have to know these people personally (though it is great if you do!).
How to Make it Happen
As you are grinding, building and hustling, remember that no person in as island!
Many new businesses start out with just one person. Consequently, entrepreneurship can be a lonely game. Especially early on.
To avoid this kind of isolation, you need a professional tribe that you can go to for inspirations, ideas and support.
Today, I’d like you to find and follow your professional tribe. I think of a professional tribe as a group of peers, mentors and next-level folks. Admittedly, I struggle with honing and maintaining my professional tribe. I get so caught up in the day-to-day that I don’t always ask for help when I should.
Your tribe and experience will probably be at least a little different from me. Above all, however, today’s goal is designed to help you find people who either have walked, or are walking, a similar path as you.
You’ll need the inspiration at some point. You’ll definitely need the coaching-off-a-ledge at some point.
How to find your professional tribe
If you have trouble finding these folks in your immediate circle or via a Google search, try searching popular industry hashtags on LinkedIn and Instagram. In addition, check the keynote speaker announcements for large industry conferences and events. Oftentimes, the keynote speaker is a well-regarded leader in their field.
For this exercise, I’d try to identify 3-5 people in each of the 3 categories (peer, mentor and next level).
After that, follow them on their most active social media accounts and sign up for their email newsletters via their websites. This will give you great insights into what other people at various levels are doing (or, are not doing) to support customers and clients.
In addition, start paying close attention to their business and marketing acumen. And, always look for what your professional tribe is missing–these may be gaps in the market where you can step in without as much competition.
If these are people you already know, ask to interview them about the business side of what they do.
If you do not know these folks already, there are many ways you can get to know them. One of the best ways is by a warm introduction from mutual friends or acquaintances.
If you don’t have this, try commenting on their social media posts, asking pointed questions, or connecting at conferences or industry events. Obviously, it behooves you to do this in a non-creepy way. Be respectful, but don’t be a groupie!
After you’ve filled out your professional tribe, shoot me a message or post on social media to let me know about it!
You can share with me on social media by tagging me @shontaviajesq on all platforms and using the #VisionChallenge hashtag so that I can see it. Or, you can comment directly below.
If nothing else, take a picture of your completed workbook page(s) so that I know you’re doing the homework!
Join my support network
In addition, studies show that you’re more likely to meet your goals when you have accountability partners! To work together with a supportive community of other side-hustlers, creatives and entrepreneurs, you can join my private group by clicking this link or via the Mighty Networks App.
Download the Mighty Network app by clicking here. Once it downloads, click “Find a Mighty Network” and search for Shontavia Johnson. You’ll find accountability partners and other content there that I may not share elsewhere.
New to the #VisionChallenge? You can learn more about it, and sign up to take the challenge, by clicking here.
Sometimes I will refer you to other books, products or services. While I may be an affiliate of these companies, creators, or authors, these are all things I have used and trust. I would not recommend these things to you if I hadn’t experienced them myself.