Craft Your Council of Wisdom A Guide to Building a Personal Board of Advisors

When facing life's pivotal moments, who do you turn to for advice? Many of us rely on a close friend, family member, or perhaps a single mentor. But what if you could assemble a diverse team of experts, both real and imagined, to guide you on your journey? This is the power of a personal board of advisors.

What is a Personal Board of Advisors?

A personal board of advisors is a curated group of individuals, both living and historical, real and fictional, who serve as your personal council of wisdom. It's about proactively designing your support system. Unlike a single mentor, a personal board offers diverse perspectives, experiences, and areas of expertise. This group isn't just for career advice; it's a holistic approach to navigating life's complexities, from personal growth and relationships to career development and mind-body wellness. Just as companies have a board of directors to provide oversight, a personal board helps oversee your personal and professional growth.

The benefits are numerous. A personal board provides well-rounded advice and innovative solutions, helps accelerate professional growth, and makes you stronger.

Identifying Your Needs

Before assembling your board, it's crucial to pinpoint the areas where you seek guidance. Are you navigating a career transition? Do you need support in building stronger relationships? Are you striving for greater self-confidence or a more growth-oriented mindset?

Consider the different facets of your life:

• Career: Strategy, leadership, industry-specific knowledge, networking.
• Relationships: Communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence.
• Personal Growth: Values clarification, purpose, mindset, resilience.
• Wellbeing: Stress management, work-life balance, physical health.
• Financial: Investing, budgeting, long-term planning.

By identifying your needs, you can strategically select advisors who possess the wisdom and experience to support you in those specific areas.

Choosing Your Advisors

Your personal board can be comprised of various types of advisors:

• Real-Life Mentors: Individuals you know personally and can interact with directly. These could be former supervisors, colleagues, teachers, or friends who possess qualities you admire.
• Historical Figures: Thinkers, leaders, and innovators from the past whose lives and teachings resonate with you.
• Fictional Characters: Characters from literature, film, or television who embody traits you wish to cultivate.
• Thought Leaders: Contemporary experts, authors, speakers, and podcasters who offer valuable insights in your areas of interest.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, "My mentor said, 'Let's go do it,' not 'You go do it.' How powerful when someone says, 'Let's!'" This highlights the collaborative spirit of mentorship. When selecting your advisors, consider individuals who embody this collaborative approach, even if you can't interact with them directly.

Another valuable addition is someone who exhibits authentic leadership. Brené Brown's work on vulnerability, courage, and wholeheartedness offers a powerful framework for understanding leadership and choosing role models.

Accessing Their Wisdom

Once you've identified your advisors, how do you tap into their wisdom? Here are some effective techniques:

• Direct Interaction: If your advisor is someone you know, schedule regular meetings or calls to seek their guidance.
• Reading: Immerse yourself in the books, articles, and essays written by or about your advisors.
• Watching/Listening: Watch interviews, documentaries, TED Talks, and podcasts featuring your advisors.
• Reflection: Journal about the teachings and principles of your advisors, considering how they apply to your life.
• Imaginal Dialogue: Engage your selected figures in an imagined conversation, extracting wisdom and guidance as it pertains to your own life.

For instance, if you admire the stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, you might read his Meditations and reflect on how his principles of resilience and self-control can be applied to your daily challenges.

Regular Check-ins and Reflection

A personal board of advisors isn't a static entity. It's a dynamic, evolving support system. Regularly review your board and the advice you're receiving. Are your needs changing? Are there new advisors you should consider adding?

Schedule regular check-ins, even if they're just brief reflections in your journal. Ask yourself:

• What key insights have I gained from my advisors recently?
• How am I applying their wisdom to my life?
• Are there any areas where I need additional support or a different perspective?
• Am I staying accountable to the goals I've set for myself?

This ongoing process of reflection and adjustment ensures that your personal board remains relevant and effective.

Overcoming Roadblocks

What happens when your advisors offer conflicting advice? This is where your own discernment comes into play. Remember, you are the CEO of your life. Your board provides guidance, but ultimately, the decisions are yours.

When faced with conflicting advice:

1. Consider the Source: Evaluate the background, experience, and potential biases of each advisor.
2. Seek Clarification: If possible, ask your advisors to elaborate on their reasoning.
3. Weigh the Options: Analyze the potential consequences of each course of action.
4. Trust Your Intuition: Ultimately, you must choose the path that feels right for you.

Developing a personal code of ethics can be a helpful framework for navigating these situations.

Building a personal board of advisors is a powerful investment in your personal and professional growth. By curating a council of wisdom, you gain access to diverse perspectives, invaluable guidance, and unwavering support on your journey to becoming your best self.

Building a Personal Board of Advisors is a powerful way to gain tailored guidance, but sometimes you need even more personalized support. WonderSage creates a self-help book written entirely for you, based on in-depth conversations about your unique challenges and aspirations.