We all need advice sometimes, and we all know plenty of people who are willing to give it to us. But who do you call on when you need guidance? You’re probably thinking of someone right now. Maybe it’s your grandmother or a parent or a childhood friend. These are great people to help you decide what to wear on your date or sort out a disagreement. But who do you go to when you need unbiased advice about difficult situations that arise and you know exactly what that person will say?
That’s the time to turn to your board of advisors. Your board of advisors is similar to that of a large corporation. They help you make difficult decisions, see things that you can’t see because of your own blind spots, or lay out the harsh truths you don’t want to think about. And they do it kindly.
One of the people on your board should be a financial advisor. This could be a professional or simply a friend who is good with money. You want to be sure this is someone you can rely on to not sell you a particular product or investment, but someone who can help you figure out what is right for you financially. Another good advisor to have is a personal advisor. This is someone with a lot of experience in life, whether that is dating and relationships, workplace weirdness, or planning social activities that work best for you. This might be a friend, a relative, or a co-worker. It might be a therapist. If you are an entrepreneur, you might also need a business advisor. Business advisors might be professionals or friends who have gone before you. They’ve made a lot of the mistakes already, and can alert you so you don’t do the same thing. They can also give you important information, like June is always a bad month in this business, so if you’re having a bad June, you may not be doing anything wrong. It’s good, also, to have a coach to support you reaching your goals. Coaches offer encouragement and support that is all about you and your needs. They challenge you to do more than you thought you could, help you access your inner wisdom, tap into your creativity, and hold you accountable to yourself.
There are many more types of advisors you may need on your board, so take some time to think about who they might be and the qualities you would want them to possess. Then ask these people to be on your board of advisors. Let them know what you need them to do for you and how you might call upon them to help you when you need them. This is an important role for people in your life, and they’re generally honored that you ask. Once you’ve assembled your board, make a list with their contact information and keep it where you will always have access to it. Then use it. Consult your advisors when you have questions, ask them to set you straight when you’re getting off the track, listen to their wisdom and compare it to what you have been thinking. That’s what a board of advisors is for.
