Sorry for the lean week of posts last week, readers! We’ll be better this week.
I’m going to call this series a wrap after today. The past 8 weeks have talked about building confidence as a writer, with posts covering: early morning feel good, daily writing, eating for energy, act-as-if, focus on others, plan to avoid panic, appreciate your differences, and list accomplishments at the end of the day.
Most of these tips can be used for any aspect of your daily life, not just a writing-focused one.
Today’s tip is to soak up the good mojo by hanging around positive, happy people. I refer to it as ‘finding your tribe.’
These people can be:
- Other writers
- Small business owners
- Readers (of your type of writing)
- Locals (neighbors, people you meet at the local cafe, and so on)
- Those you connect with through networking
- Members of any organizations you belong to (writing & non-writing)
- Social media connections
- Fellow gym members, walking friends, hiking buddies, and so on
- Clients
- Fellow hobbyists (areas other than writing)
In New Hampshire, an organization that I find quite full of happy supportive people is Women Inspiring Women. I’ve made several great connections through networking on LinkedIn, particularly the 603 Networking Group (almost 6,000 people to connect with in the state). I also have friends with great inspirational posts all the time – Charlene and Steve. And they each have *so many* inspiring connections, that it’s easy to find a smile-along-with-a-kick-in-the-pants when I need one.
In my fiction life, I have fellow mystery author friends and connections through Sisters in Crime New England. And this month, there are fellow writers I’m meeting at NH regional “write ins” for National Novel Writing Month.
You can find your ‘tribe’ just about anywhere – they are the people you are attracted to and who are attracted to you for mutual support, inspiration, and camaraderie. They are people who can lift you up when you need a boost, hold you accountable for goals you’ve set, and be a familiar face in a crowd when you need one.
Having coffee, or lunch, or a drink, or an ice cream with someone from your tribe on a regular basis is great for giving you perspective, pulling you out of the isolation that writing can create, and keeping you looking forward to achieving and doing more with your business.
We can’t all be positive and happy every minute of every day, but like honey is better at attracting bees than vinegar, keeping a positive and happy mindset goes a long way to moving forward toward your dreams than a negative and upset mindset.
Where have you found your tribe? What type of people do you turn to when you need a positive or encouraging boost?
Lisa J. Jackson is an independent writer and editor who enjoys working with businesses of all sizes. She loves researching topics, interviewing experts, and helping companies tell their stories. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Live to Write - Write to Live 
This was such a great quote. I hadn’t seen it or heard it before, but it definitely made me stop and click the read button. Finding my tribe … super important and I’ve found some of them. Thanks so much the reminders, came at the right time.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found it beneficial! 🙂
I too think this is a great quote. Finding my tribe……..it makes a difference indeed. Not just in ‘life’ ordinary but in the writing life. Different branches of the writing family are really totally different and what works for one group is not a solution for ‘others’. Passionate writers all but flowing usually in very different streams of expression. Thank you for ongoing enthusiasm from everyone.
We’re glad to have you as a reader and regular commenter, Faye. 🙂
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Although I’m a very friendly person in the last few years I’ve become demophobic. This is a phobia people. In my case more of crowds that individuals. Mind you, I live in London a city that for all its qualities is a very unfriendly place. Everybody is always in a rush, wrapped up in themselves, thinking about money, shopping till they drop and rarely saying anything more to others than “How are you?” without waiting for a reply, and off they go. So I spend most of the time on my own practicing many thing including writing and publishing books. I have given up in trying to make friends as I used to. In a city like this it’s a waste of time and very frustrating. No wonder that in my writings I often call London the City of the White Rabbits, with reference to the white rabbit of Wonderland who had never the time to talk to anybody. But who cares? I’ve a few very good friends that are more than enough and, in spite of my demophobia that is a condition that I’m starting to like a lot, anybody who wants to become my friend me is still very welcome. As they say friends should be like books few but good and I believe in it. Have a nice day!
Thank you for sharing Mneme9. I tend to shy away from masses of people, too, and am grateful for online meetups, groups, webinars, and so on that allow me to meet people anywhere in the world. And with apps such as Skype and Snapchat, it can be more personal (instead of simply behind the anonymous keyboard!) Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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