The Power of Cheerleaders, Coaches, and Cohorts

Do you think of yourself as a fairly independent person? Is it hard for you to ask for help? Have you found yourself to be kind of a lone wolf in the world? If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, today’s post is meant especially for you. Those of us who are fiercely autonomous often find it hard to depend on others in any way. However, when working toward a goal, leaning on those around you can be one of the best things you can do to improve your chances of achieving it. Accepting the support of others offers a host of other benefits, including simply making things a lot easier. I’d like to take some time to discuss three groups that can help you tremendously when it comes to making your resolution a success. Let’s discuss the power of cheerleaders, coaches, and cohorts.

Cheerleaders

Your cheerleaders are the people who are there to encourage you from the sidelines. As the name implies, their job is to cheer for you as you work toward winning the game of whatever goal it is you’ve set for yourself. Whether it’s when you accomplish a big milestone or if you should find yourself backsliding, your cheerleaders will be there no matter what to give you the encouraging words you need to keep going. We all need these kinds of people in our lives, especially when things are hard. You may be surprised to find out just how motivating they can be and how instrumental they can be in helping you to avoid giving up.

Coaches

A coach can be anyone. While cheerleaders tend to be the folks who have a vested interest in you because they’re members of your inner circle, coaches are usually people you’ve recruited for a specific purpose. For instance, someone whose goal is to run a marathon might look for a personal trainer to help them get in shape, learn to improve their eating habits, and discover ways to increase their endurance. If you have some more generalized personal goals on your list, perhaps hiring a life coach could benefit you by providing specific resources, guidance, and information toward reaching your objective. I’ve worked with my current business coach for over 2 1/2 years and have found it to be very valuable.

Cohorts

A cohort is a unique support system. This is usually a group of people who are working alongside of you to accomplish the same thing you are. Sometimes “cohort” is the term used for a group of students who are in the same program in school. They will take the same classes together, work as a group on projects, and support each other throughout their educational journey. These groups can be found in other settings also. Any collaboration of people working together to achieve the same goal qualifies. They can be useful in so many ways. Because they are going through the same experience as you, they serve very well as a sympathetic ear, support system, and motivator. Don’t hesitate to lean on them.

In fact, it’s imperative to understand the importance each of these groups: cheerleaders, coaches, and cohorts can have in your life. You should embrace at least one of these folks as you move toward your goals. Once you practice accepting the coaching, cheerleading, and support these folks can give, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.