Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? - Ecclesiastes 4:11 (NIV)
We all need a support system. We are relational beings and it is in good, safe relationships that we really flourish.
It’s been said you are the average of the five people you are closest to in your life. That’s why it is so important the people we surround ourselves with.
I remember an illustration I saw in youth group once. There was a person standing on a chair and they were to grab the hand of another person and pull them up. What ended up happening is they got pulled down and the point of the illustration was that it is a lot easier for negative people to influence you and pull you down then for you to pull them up.
We want people around us that will challenge us, motivate us, and see our true selves and we want to be the kind of people that can do that for others.
Here are three simple ways you can support the people you love in going towards their dreams.
Keep Each Other Accountable
Setting a meeting time is a great way to keep other accountable. You don’t have to have the exact same goal to encourage and help one another. Whether it’s in person or online have a consistent time where you meet up to discuss your progress. It doesn’t have to be every week. I would recommend starting off monthly and if you realize you want to meet up more regularly than do it.
Share your goals and ask them how progress is going. Ask them what they are learning on the way, and what they think can do differently for the future.
Give Your Time
Helping your friends with their goals is a great way to build your friendship. If one of you is skilled at photography and the other is skilled at writing exchange your skill sets. You can take photos of them and they can help edit your work. Don’t be all take but also don’t be all give. Friendships are mutual and helping your friends with their work should be the same.
Cheer Each Other On
The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." – Romans 12:15 (NIV)
We are there for our friends in hard seasons but we also get to be there for them in the happy, joyful moments. You should be just as excited for your friends reaching their goals as you would be for yourself. Cheer your friends on in their endeavors. Be their advocate. If they’ve started a new business tell other people about it, buy their products, and share their work.
Not only will it mean a lot to them but it also gives you an opportunity to sow in their life while also blessing other people who could benefit from what they are offering. It’s a win, win!
Since people are all different one of the biggest things you can do to support your friends in their dreams is just ask – How can I support you in your dreams?
They might not have an answer initially for you but it will mean a lot to them that you asked.
It’s an awesome thing to see your friends achieve their goals and it’s great to have people in your life cheering you on when you do the same.