Building a Positive Support Network

Alright, everyone, welcome to Section 9! You've come a long way in this course, and today we’re going to talk about something truly powerful: building a positive support network.

Now, I want you to take a moment and think about the people in your life. Who’s got your back? Who lifts you up? Who’s there when things get tough? And on the flip side, who makes you feel small, drained, or less than who you really are?

It’s not always easy to see, but the relationships we choose—whether we realize it or not—shape who we are. Some people will bring out the best in you, while others will pull you down. And I want you to know, that you have the power to choose which relationships you nurture.

In this section, we’re going to dig into how you can identify the people in your life who really matter, and how to build even more of those kinds of connections. We’ll also talk about cutting ties with toxic relationships that hold you back. I know it can be tough. We all have that one person, or maybe even more, who we feel obligated to keep around. But here's the truth—your growth is too important to let negative influences stay in your circle. It's okay to distance yourself from people who aren’t supporting your journey to becoming the best version of you.

Now, we’re going to dive into some real-life strategies to strengthen the bonds with those who really matter. Have you ever had a mentor or a person in your life who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself? That’s what we’re aiming for today: the kind of positive relationships that help you rise above, not the ones that weigh you down.

We're also going to hear from some incredible local mentors who will share how their support networks made a huge difference in their lives. They’ve been where you are, and they’re going to give you some solid advice on how to build relationships that truly matter.

But it's not just about talking. We’re going to get hands-on today, too. You’ll be creating a visual map of your support network—a “support tree”—and identifying where you can expand and grow. It might feel a little overwhelming at first, but that’s why we’re here: to guide you through it, help you see where you need to focus, and how to take action.

And for those of you who are nervous about reaching out to someone new, I get it. It can be intimidating to ask for help or introduce yourself to a potential mentor. But this is the time to push past that fear. You are worthy of good relationships, of people who can help you, guide you, and inspire you. And remember, every great relationship starts with just a conversation. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you do need to take the first step.

In today’s exercises, you’ll practice how to approach a new mentor, how to strengthen the relationships you already have, and how to start seeing your support network as something you build—step by step, day by day. It's not about waiting for someone to come find you. It’s about putting yourself out there, showing appreciation for those who support you, and taking charge of your future.

So I want you to think about this as we get started: Who inspires you? Who’s a person that, if they were standing right in front of you, could share one piece of advice that would change your life? You’ll get the chance to reflect on this today and figure out how to bring more of those people into your life. Think about what you can learn from their journey and how you can use that knowledge to shape your own.

You have the potential to build a support network that helps you rise, helps you thrive, and helps you overcome whatever challenges life throws at you. And it all starts with the relationships you choose to invest in.

Let’s get to work and take that next step in your journey. You’ve got this.