Stack Your Resources

When I think “resource” I think money, connections and those of the natural kind. I don’t generally think of self support and how it is one’s truly constant resource. It’s funny for me to gloss over “self support” because I do believe it to be absolutely essential to one’s personal success. I’ve come to believe in that old idea “you must love yourself before you can love anyone else” (click here for an article that explores and attempts to explain this idea on a spiritual level), but more than learning to love yourself I think you must learn how to be self supportive and find the type of support that works for you. I dare say that being self supportive is a bit more than earning your own doe; I believe it includes knowing who to turn to, what inspires you and how to get yourself out of a bad day or turn what may seem like “a major fuck up” into a learning experience.

In her article “How Do You Support Yourself” life Coach and author Claudette Rowley says that a support system is“a collection of friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances who show a keen interest in listening, discussing and guiding – without judgment.” I would argue that a support system is much more than that, I’d say knowing how to support yourself includes giving yourself credit, setting boundaries, knowing how and when to say “no,” as well as creating time for yourself to relax and digest life.

The website EssentialLifeSkills.net offers some tips on how to build a support system, I like a few of the ideas, one of them being that "giving support is as important as receiving it." I feel that in the act of being supportive towards others you may find ways to be self supportive. Another good one is "create a quiet place or sanctuary for yourself," by all means do. I think having a space for yourself that you see as special and separate from the rest of your day is important because it allows you to indulge in a completely separate part of your routine. Maybe it'll be a place where you can finally separate yourself from your job, your stress and whatever when on throughout the day. There is also a tip about having a variety of interests which I feel is slightly obvious and not necessarily a problem today. A better tip would be set aside at least 30 minutes to indulge in an activity that makes you happy (click here for the full article and rest of the tips).

When it really comes down to it there is not a person on the planet who knows you like you know yourself, so acknowledge that you don't need to look elsewhere to feel supported. You already posses the tools to get what you need so listen to yourself and what it is you really desire and then get up, get out there and go get it.