The Importance of Community

March 2, 2017

Life is not meant to happen in isolation. And yet, so often, it does. We sit in front of our computer screens and answer emails. We stare at our phones and we share, like, comment, tweet and click – and we call it community… but it’s not. I used to think that Community was a noun; that it was something I would run into if I was walking the right path or moving in the right circles. But after 9+ years as an entrepreneur, it’s become evident that Community is a verb. It is very much something that you DO. Intentionally.

Here’s the tough part of that: it depends on your willingness to act.

But the good? Oh my goodness the good so far outweighs the toughness. The good is that real, meaningful change happens within communities; within groups of people who are willing to show up and be vulnerable and help each other. Inviting input from other people who don’t think, talk, act or look like us will enrich our lives and catapult our dreams in a way that we could never, ever do on our own. Operating in entrepreneurial vacuums will stunt our growth. Seeking out input and support from others will help our dreams flourish, and it will provide accountability to make sure that we do the things that we say we are going to do. So how do we create a Community of Dreamers?

It’s not easy, but it is simple.

  1. You ask for it: Find people who are able to support your crazy amazing dreams, and ask for their help. Then you can give them support in return.
  2.  Seek out community: Make it a priority. Do the work to find your people – and then love them well.
  3. Go to a conference: There are so many amazing opportunities for connection at conferences and retreats, and the amazing thing about these events is that you can choose the specific areas you want to grow in AND the locations you want to visit.
  4. Invite diversity: In one of our favorite Ted Talks ever, Steven Johnson talks about how the coffee house was a huge part of making the Enlightenment so successful because it invited people of all walks of life to dream together and collaborate. The same applies to our own enlightenments – we can’t do it without a little caffeine and a whole lot of input.

We just got back from Inspire Photo Retreats in Newport, Rhode Island, and the community that happens there is enough to make anyone feel grateful just to have witnessed it. We want to encourage you (who might be sitting in front of a computer screen in an office by yourself, dreaming big dreams by yourself) to find your people. The truth is that the World needs your dreams. They were put in your heart for a purpose, and it’s our responsibility to move them forward… but we can’t do that alone. We need help.

the importance of community

If you’re ready to do the hard work of creating community and growing your business, we would love to have you as a part of our Growing on Purpose tribe. Let’s build beautiful things together.

  1. Paulette says:

    YES! So many wise words here and a life lesson I have come to learn myself. It takes a village to raise a child, start a business, endure the unexpected, and build something big! Thank you for sharing your hearts and minds at Inspire!

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