I mentioned in the last post that the focus is shifting from building confidence to building community. The first area of focus is on peer connections.

I want to clarify what a peer is first. If you are like me, I thought a peer was synonymous with a friend, but boy, was I wrong. A peer is someone who is your equal in age, rank, or status (such as a classmate or coworker), while a friend is someone you know, like, and trust through a personal bond. While a friend can be a peer, many peers are strangers or colleagues rather than friends. I think it is important to clarify the distinction to avoid heartache and unrealistic expectations.

Now, let’s talk about why a peer/friend is important when building your community with intention. More importantly, I want to coach you on what qualities to look for when deciphering who is a peer/friend worth building a connection with:

Honesty: They speak truthfully and openly, even when the truth is hard to hear.

Loyalty: They stay committed and dependable, standing by you through good times and hard times.

Trustworthiness: They protect your confidence and act with your best interests at heart.

Dependability: They are reliable and consistent, showing up when they say they will.

Supportiveness: They encourage, assist, and comfort you through both successes and challenges.

No matter what you choose to call that person, the bottom line is being strategic about filling this role. I want to leave you with a quote that my mentor and coach says very often:

“You don’t go as far as your dream. You go as far as your team.” — Dr. Dharius Daniels

If you need help deciphering who is on your Life Board, don’t hesitate to reach out to Nekeshia c/o Meraki Counseling at 832-779-3039 or merakicounseling@outlook.com.

Also, if your desire is to design your Life Board but you wish to explore this topic more independently, check out my guided journal, Life Board: A Guided Journal to Reflect on the People Who Anchor, Affirm, and Align You.