Napoleon Hill, an American author who was considered a great writer on success, poised this question in his book Think and Grow Rich. Not only was this his most famous book but it’s considered one of the best- selling books of all time. The concept like so many others successful concepts in life is simplistic in its form but powerful in its impact. To be successful you need to have your own personal group of advisors or people in your life or immediate circle that can play an integral role in your development and success? Companies have Boards of Directors that fill this role and who hold the President and CEO accountable while at the same time ensuring the company is moving in the right direction. What about you? Who do you turn to when you want career advice or need help with a business problem? In other words, who sits at your table?
The old saying definitely rings true here that no man or woman is an island. Being independent is a good quality but can be taken too far when we become isolated and don’t reach out to others for advice. One of the enemies of success is the line of thinking that what worked in the past or is working now will continue to work in the future. We all need people to bounce ideas off of and who can hold us accountable by speaking truth into our lives. This of course is not a new concept. The tricky part is who should receive an invitation to your dinner party and sit at your table, so to speak? Your selection is critical as you are not looking for fans but rather those who will not be afraid of telling you what you may not want to hear. Your personal group of advisors or those who sit at your table can be divided into two categories; “Invisible and Visible Counselors”. Invisible Counselors are those who you don’t have a personal relationship with but are fed by them in other ways. Examples of these would be authors, speakers, business leaders, Religious leaders, etc. Visible Counselors then are those who can actually sit at your table with you. Some examples of these would be mentors, friends, family members, co-workers, etc.
If you already have your own personal group of advisors that you trust and can rely on then you are on the path to success, whether personally or professionally. If not, according to Napoleon Hill it may have to do with readiness. “Psychologists have correctly said that ‘when one is truly ready for a thing, it puts in its appearance.’”
The old saying definitely rings true here that no man or woman is an island. Being independent is a good quality but can be taken too far when we become isolated and don’t reach out to others for advice. One of the enemies of success is the line of thinking that what worked in the past or is working now will continue to work in the future. We all need people to bounce ideas off of and who can hold us accountable by speaking truth into our lives. This of course is not a new concept. The tricky part is who should receive an invitation to your dinner party and sit at your table, so to speak? Your selection is critical as you are not looking for fans but rather those who will not be afraid of telling you what you may not want to hear. Your personal group of advisors or those who sit at your table can be divided into two categories; “Invisible and Visible Counselors”. Invisible Counselors are those who you don’t have a personal relationship with but are fed by them in other ways. Examples of these would be authors, speakers, business leaders, Religious leaders, etc. Visible Counselors then are those who can actually sit at your table with you. Some examples of these would be mentors, friends, family members, co-workers, etc.
If you already have your own personal group of advisors that you trust and can rely on then you are on the path to success, whether personally or professionally. If not, according to Napoleon Hill it may have to do with readiness. “Psychologists have correctly said that ‘when one is truly ready for a thing, it puts in its appearance.’”
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