The success of every founder is easy to see and recognize. But the hardship and struggles behind this success are something that people rarely talk about. If you’re a founder or planning to start a business, you must know that entrepreneurship is both a a rewarding and challenging journey. This is why it’s important to build support systems that you can rely on when you have wins and losses in life. But how could you build these support systems? Stick with us as we share various strategies to achieve emotional and practical support.
3 Types of support systems and how to build them
There are three types of support systems that you can build and includes the following.
Personal support
This type of support revolves around your connection to your family, friends, and loved ones. They are the people whom you can talk to or run to when you need support. Most entrepreneurs’ mistakes are isolating themselves from their family and friends when they have problems. As a consequence, it worsens the situation.
You can build personal support through the following tips.
- Identify the people in your life who can provide emotional and practical support when you need it. It might include your family members, close friends, or your partner.
- Always communicate your needs. Do not play the guessing game because they will not know what you’re going through if you will not open it.
- Be clear about your boundaries, especially what you can and cannot do. This way, you can build healthy relationships.
- Do not forget to schedule time for self-care.
Professional support
This type of support goes outside your house or even your comfort zone. It includes seeking assistance from a counsellor, coach, or mentor. Professional support is one reliable resource when things go wrong, or you want to achieve something.
You can build your professional support by:
- Attending industry-specific events like seminars and conferences so you can meet other professionals and build relationships.
- Join professional organizations that you’re interested in.
- Look for online blogs or forums where you can find other professionals related to your field.
- Look for volunteer opportunities that align with your interests.
- Seek help from mental health counselling in Hong Kong to learn coping skills and strategies on how to achieve your goals.
Peer-based support
This last support system is about connecting to your co-entrepreneurs who can provide empathy and understanding to you. However, this is a give-and-take relationship if you want this type of support to be consistent and healthy.
You can build a peer-based support system by joining various mastermind groups or co-working spaces.
Balancing support systems is important.
Although you have three support systems you can explore, you need to know that a balance between personal, professional, and peer-based support is also a must. You can balance it by setting priorities and allocating your time accordingly. Likewise, you should also need to avoid overcommitting and be more flexible and adaptable, especially on your schedule, so you can find the balance. We encourage you to build your support systems as early as today, so you can feel better regardless of what problems you’re about to face.