Too many people expect one person to do it all – to be the mentor, the coach, the cheerleader, the trainer, the role model, the advisor.
You don’t need one person who does everything.
Instead, build a squad. A group of people, each playing a defined role in your success.
Don’t confuse a mentor with a coach.
A mentor tells you what they did.
A coach asks the questions that help you find your own answers.
A trainer shows you the method.
Expecting one person to be all three is a recipe for disappointment.
We all need a team…
- cheerleaders
- role models
- mentors
- coaches
- advisors
The people who inspire, encourage, educate, empower, and enable us to achieve more.
But here’s a warning. As you invite more people into your life, know the difference between advice and opinion.
Advice comes from experience.
Opinion comes from assumption.
If someone speaks from first-hand experience, I listen as advice.
If they’re sharing what they think they’d do, I treat it as opinion.
Both are valuable, but confusing the two can derail your progress.
Now, if you want to build your Success Squad intentionally, try this three-step process I call a Life Laundry:
Step 1. Human Audit
Look at the key people in your life. Define their roles clearly. Make sure each one plays a constructive part in your success. If someone’s influence is destructive, take steps to reduce or remove it.
Step 2. Identify Your Missing People
Look at your squad. Who’s missing? Which roles need to be filled — cheerleader, mentor, coach, advisor? Get clear on what support you need next and who might fit.
Step 3. Actively Fill the Vacancies
Join groups. Attend events. Reach out. Building your network is an active process, not a passive one. It takes time, effort, and intention — but every new goal you set will demand a stronger squad around you.
If this resonates, you’ll find more about this idea in Chapter 6 of Exactly Where to Start, where I unpack what it really takes to build your Success Squad and set yourself up to win.
What does your Success Squad look like?
