Be In Great Communities

The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital. -??Mark Hyman, MD

Humans are social beings; we are not meant to live alone in isolation. We might appreciate times of peace and quiet alone but overall we are creatures of habit that benefit by being around others.??In a community environment we have the opportunity to thrive, alone we have an increased opportunity to self-deprecate.??

The power of being part of a community is often forgotten.??We may drift out of our communities when life changes and forget the importance of replacing them with other more relevant communities leaving a void which is not clearly identified.??We often took them for granted when we were younger whist, we were forced to attend them, whether they were based around our educational establishments, places of worship, home or extracurricular activities.??Later in life no one ever states the importance of being part of a community.???Overall, it’s a big miss.??We most likely get into a community because we love the activity, not because of the intrinsic community benefits.??This is just an added benefit, though it should be identified as the main benefit.????

Within communities you have a sense of belonging, sharing common interests, a common purpose, and often similar values.??You get support from others and the opportunity to support others who need your support.??It is not stated in the rules of life that you must actively be in a community, or two.??This message seems to be missing.??

As so many in today’s society move and lose their communities it’s even more important to make a conscious effort to get into new communities to give yourself the opportunity to be at your best.??The mental health benefits of being within a community heavily influences our quality of life.??So many communities are based about activities that also improve your physical wellbeing which equally improves overall quality of life, but it doesn’t need to be just that way.

As life has become far more transient, we can lose our communities much quicker.??We move to the big cities, across the world away from family and friends and the structure we grew up with.??We grow too old for certain communities and don’t replace them with others.

The advantage now, if you chose to accept them or go find them, is communities can now be global.??The world is open to opportunities via the power of the internet.??As Seth Godin, Author of Tribes highlights you just need a shared interest and a way to communicate, and you can create or join a community.

A good community would give you:

·???????Sense of belonging

·???????Support structure

·???????Purpose

·???????Common interest

·???????Shared values

·???????Similar beliefs

·???????Sense of community

World class sustainable organisations foster great community feelings.??In the armed forces colleagues are often referred to as brothers and sisters.??When organisations can foster such a sense of belonging their employees are truly vested in the business.??There is no distractions like thinking or looking for new jobs and other (maybe) better organisations to work for.??Family’s still have friction, but in the end you know they are truly on your side, and the friction often creates the sparks that are essential for substantial positive progress.

If you don’t have a clearly defined community you are involved in regularly find it and get involved.??Make it part of your routine.??Your health and wellbeing depend on it.???

Can you name your community or communities where you can be at your best???Do you feel welcome, do you feel a strong belonging???What is your community???Is the community giving you a true sense of belonging, a real common purpose???What other communities could you join to achieve these feelings even more often?

About the author:

Adam Ashcroft?is one of the Middle East’s leading executive coaches and Founder & CEO of The Advantage.?Adam, as The Advantage Coach, harnesses over 20+ years of Middle East & Africa experience which includes having started, grown, led, and exited one of the region’s largest start-ups.

Adam now works closely with some of the Middle East's leading CEOs, business owners and senior executives, and their teams to ensure they are performing at their very best by:

??Identifying leaders’ strengths and passions and using them for success.

??Implementing world recognised leadership best practices to fully empower themselves and their teams.

??Integrating proven business models used by the world's most successful companies.

Adam has become the go-to authority in Dubai, the Middle East, and the region for those who wish for an advisor, mentor, confidant & coach who has already climbed the corporate ladder, or for those who wish to take their established business from successful to the next level.

To inquire about Adam’s one to one coaching, team, group & leadership coaching, keynoting or speaking at your company or event please email?[email protected]