This tweet from Geoff Livingston really got me thinking about my last post.  Was I being too insular? In many ways yesterday’s post was intended as purely self exploratory.  It’s not uncommon to struggle with self identify and personal revisions. This awareness often leads to improvements and growth.  However, yesterday’s post should have been less about me and more about our exploring of communal growth.

take a look at how you grow.
How do you improve yourself personally and professionally? Some of us grow in solitude, pulling from within, but many of us value and seek communal growth. Regardless of ‘how’, it’s important to be aware of what you need to improve and cultivate growth throughout the many facets of your own life, profession, and inner self.

others enable us to see what we can’t.
We are all capable of amazing things; handmade creations, intellectual ideas, unconditional generosity, and so much more.  However, we can benefit from the growth that comes from our community of peers. We are able to witness opportunities and potential through the honest lens of others.  Growth in many forms comes from experience and the wisdom offered by those we encounter (online or in person).

at times, we all need the support of others.
We are all undergoing a continual transformation – working to better ourselves to better serve our communities, families, and professions.  The support and motivation from a close community subset enables us to better achieve these goals or change our end-goals as appropriate.  Have you ever found yourself stuck?  Perhaps paralyzed by an idea, a question, or an insecurity.  Turning to our tribe can get us back in gear sometimes through a much needed hug or a good kick in the butt.

As evident through Twitter and the myriad of online and physical networks many of use partake in we build our close net of tribal members over time.  This group resonates with us at a deep, soulful level and is built as we navigate experiences, encounters, and networks.  Open and honest engagement aids us as we organically connect with potential tribal members. This process can’t be forced, but is cultivated through humility, and trust.

observe the tribe you are already have around you.
Communal growth can be incredibly powerful.   It can shape us as well as inspire and push us in ways that we can’t yet even image. Look around you, your tribe is probably already present, and you may not even know it.   They may have nothing in common or not even know one another other, but fulfill you in ways the many others don’t.  Open yourself to your relationships, listen to those who inspire, reach out, and nurture this community of those who push you to be better, do better.

[Image by WanderingtheWorld via Flickr]