Comments on: Entrepreneurs Don’t have to Be Isolated

By: C. Wyatt

C. Wyatt — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:15:23 +0000

While I agree that support is vital, I wonder if we don’t run the risk of short changing ourselves by seeking support from those who don’t share our vision.

There’s an interesting story about a man who came to Jesus because his daughter was dying. When Jesus arrived the girl was dead. Interestingly, Jesus put everyone outside except the child’s parents and three of his closest disciples. Then He cured the child.

Regardless of your religious persuasion, the lesson here is the necessity of separating ourselves from those who can not or will not believe with us, in our dream.

By: Friends are Vital to Small Business Success - More Than WE Know - Information, Inspiration and Support for Women Entrepreneurs

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:50:47 +0000

[…] Entrepreneurs Don’t have to Be Isolated Eight Roles That Friends Play for Entrepreneurs […]

By: Liz Fuller

Liz Fuller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:41:12 +0000

Hi Jean
I absolutely agree that we put too much pressure on friends when we expect them to be all things to us. There is a quote I love:

“Each friend represents a world in us,a world possibly not born until they arrive,and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

~ Anaïs Nin.

The more complex we are ourselves, the more potential for worlds within us. And the more potential need we have for friends who speak to those unique aspects of ourselves.

I also agree that friendships take work. Our soul-mates are not always the ones who agree with everything we say - they may be the ones who challenge, frustrate and confound us - because that is what we need to grow.

I think that your point is very important - oftentimes we are hard on others because we are unaccepting of ourselves. By learning to accept ourselves, we become better able to focus on the good in others and overlook their faults. Do you think if these children focus on accepting themselves, faults and all, they will increase their appreciation of others?

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:26:11 +0000

Thanks Liz - I will do!
An interesting point that I’d be interested to hear your feedback on: in my role as teacher and consultant in gifted education and in thinking skills, I’ve found many times that gifted children/youth/adults often have difficulty making friends. And I think a big part of this is because with their own high expectations of themselves, bright people also apply these expectations to potential friends. So when the ‘friend’ doesn’t measure up as ‘perfect’, they are rejected.So,I think we need to help our kids (and ourselves!) to realise that different people all have different things to offer; and that it’s perfectly OK just to meet different people for even just one particular (mutually enjoyable) activity. And that ALL friendships and partnerships take work, from both sides of the relationship - that’s what makes it ever-changing, dynamic and interesting! What’s your opinion here?

By: Liz Fuller

Liz Fuller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:59:10 +0000

Jean
I agree - every entrepreneur’s support system is going to look different - some will rely on social friends, some on family, some on fellow entrepreneurs, and some on a combination of all three. The important thing is to recognize the value of a support system to help us through the times when our self-confidence starts to wane. Please take a look at tomorrow’s post for information on the results of research on the importance of friends in our work life!

Liz

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:43:49 +0000

Very sage advice! The only point I would like to suggest is that we women don’t HAVE to find another person on our field.I believe that having social friends (male or female) is enough to keep us feeling good about ourselves. And it’s the self-confidence in ourselves, and in our ability to make good decisions and also to LEARN from our mistakes, that makes us successful entrepreneurs.
Great site!
JEAN (in New Zealand)