Have you assembled a support team? It’s possible you haven’t considered it or are unsure of its relevance. Many look at a support or care team like they would caregivers coming into the home, but it’s more than that. Your support team can be a circle of family and friends rallying together to offer aid when necessary. The reality is, you can’t predict when you’ll require a support system or community to stand by you during tough times, but there will likely come a time when you can’t do life alone.
Why is a care team or community important? What kind of scenarios would you need one? Let’s explore a few…
Let’s say you fell and are worried you sprain your ankle, or worse, broke a bone. Do you have someone who will take you to Urgent Care? Or what if your heart acting strangely so you drive yourself to the ER just to be sure your ticker is on track but they immediately admit you to run countless tests. Do you have someone to take care of your pets? What if you broke your hip, do you have someone who would bring you meals or pick up your medications? What if one of your parents or a spouse became critically ill. How would you handle the emotional, physical and financial impact? These are just a few scenarios that may arise in which you need others around you to support your situation.
Pause and reflect on the individuals in your life. Make a mental or physical list of those you connect with over the course of the month or engage with on a regular basis. This could include family, friends, coworkers, or people in a social or support group. Ask yourself, are they reliable? Would they be there when you need help? Is there a balanced sense of give and take in your relationship or do they add drama and are concerned about their own world?
By asking yourself some simple questions, you can gain clarity on which relationships are worth investing in. While it’s not necessary to immediately sever ties with a person who may not appear fully supportive, it is valuable to evaluate the extent of time and energy you wish to put into that relationship.
Take the time to carefully consider your team members, selecting individuals who share common interests, values, and a commitment to mutual support. Your team does not need to always be socially active together, although it is an added benefit if they know each other. When faced with challenges, a team acquainted with one another serves as a supportive network, ready to aid in various ways. This becomes particularly beneficial during times of illness or recovery, as an ideal team would step up to provide meals or offer the support you need during this season of your life.
Do you want to learn more about building your support team? We dive into this topic in our FREE ebook. Download it here.