Have you ever been talking with someone and you just feel so much on the same page it's spooky?
You just get each other, you have the same way of looking at the world and the same thoughts on what you want to achieve in life. Now imagine you have a whole group of people like that , who can be your cheerleaders, mentors, coaches and guides as you change to a new working life. They are your Tribe!
When you plan to make a career leap you need all the support and guidance you can get, and by finding your new career tribe you are surrounded by people that can help.
But it's not always easy to find 'your people', so in this episode, I’m talking about what I mean by a tribe and why you need one, and sharing some of the ways I used to find the people in my life that have become my Tribe.
So go and grab yourself a cup of coffee, or your beverage of choice, and tap play to get started on your journey to finding YOUR tribe!
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
To get my free cheat sheet ‘Passion To a Side Hustle: 15 ideas to convert doing what you love into profit’ go to: www.nicholaohara.com/sidehustle
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Life is all about community and being part of a tribe is essential to our mental wellbeing.
A tribe in its historic meaning according to the Oxford Dictionaries is ‘a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect, typically having a recognised leader’.
A tribe in the modern sense, and in this context, is a community of like minded people who are drawn together through similar interests, desires, passions and ambitions, and who from coming together feel a sense of belonging and positivity. They sometimes will even form their own language, not like English or French, but sayings and words that are commonly used when communicating. They often will have a leader, who inspires and shows tribe members more about their areas of interest while keeping everyone connected.
Communities and tribes are becoming more prevalent as we go further into this century. In particular people are harnessing technology to be connected and that’s only going to get stronger and more mainstream. It is important that virtual communication does not take over from face to face which is so beneficial to us, but it has enabled us to connect across the country and the world with friends and loved ones and even allowing us to find other tribes we would otherwise not have met. I now have people in my life that I have never met in person, because they are spread across the world, but are close friends.
But what if you find you don’t connect with your tribe any more? It can feel very lonely when you no longer think or feel part of a group. When you decide that you are with the wrong tribe or your thoughts are no longer aligned with them, you can think that there is something wrong with you. Why don’t you get fired up anymore when your work tribe is still motivated? You can feel like a square peg in a round hole.
Even if you have a very supportive friend group, you still need to find a tribe that understands the realities of the path you are taking. Unless friends are in the same job, career or business you are going after, they will not get it or be able to help you beyond general motivation.
This is all about finding that tribe that will support, motivate and inspire you but also that ‘get you’ and your new career plans. We all need a tribe to belong to, but when you’re making a leap in your career it’s vital!
When you find your career tribe, from within that group you can find your ‘family group’, pod or mastermind. These are people who REALLY get you. It can be spooky how much you’re on the same wavelength . They have done, are doing or are planning to do the same thing as you or something similar, so they understand all the pitfalls and the rewards.
You can bounce ideas off them without ridicule, they give you advice and information, cheer for you when you make progress and they pick you up when you fall, and set you back up on your feet and push you forward.They understand your struggles, they will feel much the same. There is a fantastic energy when you get together, when thoughts are aligned
The problem is, how do you find these people when what you want is so out of your sphere right now? If you have never been involved with anything to do with the career or business you are planning to leap to, that can be difficult. I certainly felt very alone until I stumbled upon the tribes that have helped me. That took some time, so to speed things up for you, here are some ideas of how you can connect with your potential tribe:
First up is Facebook
What you may not have discovered are Facebook Groups! Before I made my decision to move I had no clue they existed and certainly did not think about joining any. Facebook groups are separate groups that have been set up for a reason; so it could be people who love baking cakes, or people who are car enthusiasts. Name a hobby and there will be at least one group there waiting for you. BUT, there are also a lot of groups related to careers, business, entrepreneurs, specific job types, women in business, women in leadership, leadership in general, new business start ups etc etc. There is a massive opportunity here to connect with people who are already in the job you want to move to, or have side hustles or businesses you aspire to. You may also meet other career leapers who can go through this transition with you. Supporting and cheering for each other as you go.
So have a browse and see what resonates. If you join a group and it does not connect with you, you can just leave. That’s the thing about tribes, one person's perfect tribe is another person's perfect nightmare!
LinkedIn is the biggest online platform connecting people on a professional or business basis.
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile set up, then get one. To find like minded people, you can search by job title, job specialism industry sector or companies you want to work for. Then if you see people in the industry or field you want to get into, you can ask to connect or follow them. Just introduce yourself and say why you are connecting with them. Ask if they are willing to give you advice or can tell you about good groups to join. They can be people who are in the same job specialism you are looking to get into, or companies you want to work for, even if they are not the recruiters. I know it may be out of your comfort zone to contact people direct, but it’s a great way of gaining knowledge about your new career and building your network.
The next way to find your tribe is Podcasts
I’m guessing as you have found this podcast you are already in the podcasting world. However, are you utilising podcasts in the best way? I recommend listening to as many podcasts as you can in your new career sphere and then narrow them down to those hosts and content you resonate with most. So when you find the podcast that you feel really speaks to you, subscribe and listen in every week, even if you are not sure if the topic is relevant, because there will always be something you can take away.
Many podcasts also have facebook groups you can join, meaning you can meet with other people listening to your preferred podcast. Obviously, this immediately means you have something in common not only with the host but with the other group members. Through the group you can get to know the podcast host much better as they will show up in videos and live training, and you can also ask them questions.
Another great method related to podcasts are podcast guests. So if your favourite podcast has guests that appear, you can end up following their work and becoming part of their community.
I found some of the best thought leaders and mentors through following up on guests on my favourite podcasts. This is because, if a podcast host you like has a guest on their show, it is pretty likely that what they do is related to your career vision and that they will be on the same wave length.
The final tip for finding your tribe is , through Education and learning
If you need to up-skill or learn new skills or knowledge for your new career, the courses you take can be a fantastic way of finding your tribe.
Online courses are an accessible option. Most online courses will have a community attached to it, either on facebook or some other system. I know that can seem a bit impersonal, but I have seen magic happen in those groups. The sharing of information, the friendships, the championing and support is second to none...IF you find the right course. Depending on the size of the online or face to face course cohort, you could also have the opportunity to join smaller groups or pods within the community. Usually these are between 3 and 6 people, who are in the same country, time zone, or area, so you can meet up in person if that suits and you can speak regularly each week. Having a group like this as you go through the online course not only gives you the accountability and motivation to keep going but also connects you to a group who could become your tribe for your career change journey.
Face to face courses
Yes, people do still meet in real life! The same as with the online courses, any courses or further education you do face to face can help build relationships and form tribes. The cohorts are smaller than you get in online courses, due to room size, so you can get to know the whole group and find those people that are the most like minded and you think could be a longer term support.
Seeing people in real life, does create more immediate connections and you can use your instinct and senses more to see if they really are ‘people like you’.
Conferences and seminars
Conferences, seminars, round tables whatever you want to call them are fantastic for finding potential tribe members. You are all there to hear about, learn or discuss something that you have an interest in. So, search online for events that relate to what you want to do, and go! So if you want to become a chef, go to those specifically for the restaurant industry or if you want to get into banking then go to a Financial services event. Even if you are just starting out, listen and learn, then later on when you are feeling more confident you can start to contribute. You have to start somewhere!
A pro tip is, if there is an option, to go for the VIP ticket as that is where the best conversations and networking happen. You don’t want to be one of the ground when you can be in smaller groups and potentially get to meet the speakers and network with people who you could end up being tribe buddies with or working with in the future.
Finding the right tribe is hugely powerful but it can take a while to find the right one.
If you join a community, online or in person, and when they are discussing something and it seems everyone is aligned, nodding or clapping in agreement and you just don’t get what they are so enthused about, it may not be the best for you. Or maybe you just need to remove a mental block and it will all become clear, so give it time. But don’t be afraid to move on and find another group.
You will know when you meet the right people. You will feel it in your gut.
The Bottom Line is...
If you’re considering a career leap or are already on the starting blocks, you can’t do it alone.
You will need support, guidance and motivation from people who understand the specialism, industry or business area you want to move to. So finding your tribe isn’t a nice to have, it’s a must!
When you find them, you will stop feeling like you don’t belong, that you are strange to want what you want, and start feeling like you belong to a community, that your leap is possible and that your new tribe will support and cheer you on as you put in the work to change your life.
So get out there and find your people!
Join me in the next episode and remember, everyone deserves to live their passion, so get started this is your time!
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