A book that the coaching group I belong to often refers to is Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan. Oftentimes, I have found myself and other high-achieving individuals trying to do everything alone. Just like in my journal, Life Board, the importance of focusing on community and others to live a flourishing life is reiterated.

Here are a few parallels between Dan Sullivan’s framework and the Life Board™ framework:

1. You Cannot Succeed Alone

It is impossible to live life in isolation and truly thrive. Success involves not only doing work with the right people but also being in community with the right people.

Just think about when people accept awards. They always thank family and associates who have contributed to making their lives better. For some, it’s a coach, a pastor, or a spouse.

2. Be Intentional About Your Who

This key point is about identifying and being intentional about partnering with others to help you succeed in life.

While Sullivan focuses on people who can help you achieve goals, the Life Board™ model highlights being intentional about identifying the seven relational roles needed to support your growth, identity, and purpose.

To be intentional is to be a curator or creator of those with whom you pursue goals or do life.

3. The Right People Save You Time and Energy

Delegating and collaborating free you to focus on what you do best. Mentors provide wisdom. Both should give you speed.

“Proximity is power. If you want to accelerate your growth, get in rooms with people who are already playing the game at a level you want to reach.” — Attributed to Tony Robbins

4. You Need People With Different Strengths

The best “Who” may possess abilities, knowledge, or resources you lack.

The primary biblical passage that beautifully outlines how individuals with different gifts, talents, and functions come together to accelerate and strengthen the whole is 1 Corinthians 12:4–27, which describes the church as “One Body with Many Parts.”

Different Life Board™ members fulfill different roles and needs in the community.

Who’s on Your Life Board?

As you reflect on these four principles, I want you to ask yourself: Am I trying to do life alone, or am I intentionally building a community that supports where I’m going and who I’m becoming?

Sometimes the issue isn’t that you lack the ability, knowledge, or determination to accomplish your goals. It may be that you’re missing the right people to help you along the way.

Remember, you cannot be your best self by yourself!

Take some time to examine the people currently in your life. Who is helping you grow? Who is challenging you to become better? Who is celebrating your successes? More importantly, which seats on your Life Board are still empty?

If you’re ready to become more intentional about building your confidence and community, my guided journal, Life Board: A Guided Journal to Reflect on the People Who Anchor, Affirm, and Align You, is a great place to start. It will help you reflect on the seven essential relational roles and identify the people who support your growth, identity, and purpose.

You can also connect with Nekeshia Limuel, LPC, at Meraki Counseling Services to learn more about designing your personal Life Board™.

Phone: 832-779-3039
Email: merakicounseling@outlook.com

The question isn’t just what you want to accomplish in life, but WHO you’re doing life with!