Cultivating Your Inner Circle

A full life becomes full because we have created a life that includes a variety of experiences, adventures, lessons learned, and people to share our lives with.  There will be times of solitude and there will be times when we need a strong inner circle to help us maneuver the winding roads. Great inner circles are cultivated over time.  As we grow, move, and change throughout our lives, our circle will also expand and contract.  It isn’t about the number of people in our circle, inner circles are usually very small, it is all about the quality of the relationships we develop.

“Building a strong inner circle of friendships is like constructing a sturdy bridge. Each friendship is a supportive beam, carefully placed and reinforced over time. As we invest in these connections, we lay down the foundation for trust, understanding, and resilience. Just as a well-built bridge withstands the tests of time and weather, so too do our friendships endure life’s challenges when built on a solid foundation of mutual respect and support.”  – unknown

When growing a strong inner circle we often need to begin by asking ourselves hard questions.

• Why do we allow people who laugh at our dreams, question our abilities, judge our skills, talents, and knowledge, or doubt our calling to remain close to us?
• Who have we allowed in our inner circle? And why?
• Who might be missing from our inner circle that needs to be included?

Determining who should be in your inner circle involves thoughtfulness and intentionality. It is a process. There are many considerations among them are:

1. Shared Values.  Do the people in our current inner circle share our core values and beliefs? Aligning with those who share our values creates a foundation for compatibility, trust, and understanding.
2. Trust. Can we trust and rely on those we want to be in our circle of closest friends?  Will they be there for us during both joyful moments and difficult times?
3. Respect.  Are we surrounded by individuals who respect us for who we are and support our dreams, goals, and aspirations without judgment?  Do we respect them equally?
4. Positive Influence. Our inner circle should include those who motivate us to be our best and encourage us to grow.
5. Communication. Good Communication is the key to all relationships, it promotes understanding and nurtures strong bonds.   When cultivating our inner circle, we should look for people with whom we can communicate openly and honestly.

The first relationship we should be cultivating is the one with ourselves.  We build better relationships and stronger inner circles when we know who we are, what we need to be content with our lives, and why we do what we do.  If you have been asking any of these three questions and want to explore answers,  schedule a free coaching call, and let’s chat about the process of growing internally, cultivating your inner circle, and building the full life you desire.