I would be no where near where I am if it weren't for the people in my life. Some have mentored me and haven't even known they were speaking into my life. Some I've been compelled to emulate. Others have provided the backdrop of who I do not wish to be.

Your journey of excellence depends on community. The power of the human connection cannot be matched. We were designed for community. We crave it, introverts and extroverts alike. The American Society of Training and Development found that people are 65 percent likely to meet a goal after committing to another person. Their chances of success increase to 95 percent when they build in ongoing meetings with their partners to check in on their progress.

Entrepreneur.com points out three styles to consider when creating an accountability network in this post:

• Peer Networks - Peer-to-peer networks focused on entrepreneurs offer two-way communication that enable founders to learn from each other and share their own experiences. These groups bring together entrepreneurs with like-minded perspectives and goals. They often offer tools and resources to help further each other's ventures.

• Mentors - Some entrepreneurs prefer to held accountable on a more personal level, establishing a one-on-one relationship with a person who is experienced in a particular field and has achieved a high level of success. Ninety-three percent of small and mid-sized business owners said mentoring was helpful to their success.

• Applications - Some entrepreneurs work best in a competitive setting. Apps create the kind of “leaderboard” experience they’re looking for. An app makes tracking numbers and the ruthless data these entrepreneurs crave easy.

One of the hallmark elements of a person who is becoming the fullest expression of their unique, God-given design is an appreciation for the impact of community. No one can do the journey along. Being self-made is a myth, a lie. No matter the vision, resilience, or humility, you still need community.

ACTION STEP

• List the 5 people closest to you (meaning, you interact with them most of the time)
• Identify 2 lessons you can learn from each of these 5 people (they can be what you aspire to be or not be)
• Take these 10 lessons and work them into your morning reflection times

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