Unlock Your Potential with a Personal Board of Advisors

Unlock Your Potential with a Personal Board of Advisors

In the journey of self-improvement, we often seek guidance from various sources – books, mentors, courses. But what if you could assemble a personalized "board of advisors," a group of individuals whose qualities and values resonate deeply with your aspirations? This board, comprised of people you admire (whether you know them personally or not), can serve as a powerful tool for unlocking your potential. This isn't about mimicking others; it's about identifying the values and characteristics you want to embody and using them as a compass for growth.

Identifying Your Board Members

The beauty of a personal board of advisors is its flexibility. Your "board members" can be people you know, public figures, historical figures, or even fictional characters. The key is that they possess qualities you admire and want to cultivate in yourself.

Consider these sources when selecting your board:

• People You Know: Think about individuals in your life – family, friends, colleagues, former teachers or mentors – who embody traits you respect.
• Public Figures: Are there leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, or activists whose work and values inspire you?
• Historical Figures: Consider individuals from the past whose lives and accomplishments resonate with your goals.
• Fictional Characters: Don't discount the power of fictional characters. They can embody specific ideals and archetypes that provide valuable insights.

A personal board of directors can be a powerful tool to guide you through different facets in your life.

Defining Key Qualities

Once you've identified potential board members, pinpoint 2-3 key qualities that you admire most about each person. These qualities should be relevant to your personal development goals. For example:

• Brené Brown: Vulnerability, courage, authenticity. Brené Brown's research on vulnerability highlights its essential role in authentic connection and courageous living.
• James Clear: Habit formation, incremental improvement, consistency. James Clear's work on Atomic Habits provides a framework for building positive habits and breaking negative ones.
• Your Grandmother: Resilience, kindness, unwavering optimism.

Be specific. Instead of "successful," identify how they demonstrate success – through perseverance, innovation, or ethical leadership, for instance.

Applying Their Wisdom

The true power of your board lies in applying their "wisdom" to your daily life. Here are some practical strategies:

• "What Would [Board Member] Do?": When facing a challenge or decision, ask yourself how a specific board member would approach the situation, considering their defining qualities. For example, "What would Brené Brown (vulnerability, courage) do in this situation?" This question can provide a fresh perspective and guide your actions.
• Journaling Prompts: Use your board members' qualities as journaling prompts. For example, "How can I embody [Board Member]'s resilience in my current project?"
• Visualization: Visualize yourself interacting with your board members, seeking their advice, and embodying their qualities.

Regularly Consulting Your Board

Your personal board isn't a static entity. Regularly reflect on their guidance and how it's impacting your life. Consider these practices:

• Monthly Check-ins: Dedicate time each month to review your board, reflect on their qualities, and assess your progress.
• Situational Consultations: When facing specific challenges, consciously "consult" relevant board members for guidance.
• Evolving Your Board: As you grow and your goals change, your board may also evolve. Feel free to add or remove members as needed. It isn't necessary to have a close relationship with each of your board members, having a diverse group of advisors can be a benefit.

Example Board

Here's a sample board to illustrate the concept:

• Michelle Obama: Grace, leadership, advocacy (Qualities: Poise, Strategic Communication, Commitment to Service)
• Your Uncle David: Entrepreneurship, risk-taking, perseverance (Qualities: Tenacity, Vision, Calculated Risk Assessment)
• Nelson Mandela: Forgiveness, reconciliation, social justice (Qualities: Compassion, Moral Courage, Transformative Leadership)
• Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice): Wit, independence, integrity (Qualities: Intellectual Curiosity, Assertiveness, Moral Conviction)
• A close friend: Known for their empathy, active listening, and supportive nature. (Qualities: Empathy, Active Listening, and Unconditional Positive Regard.)

This board demonstrates that personal, public, historical and fictional figures can serve.

WonderSage recognizes the benefits to having a Personal Advisory Board.

Unlock Your Full Potential

Building a personal board of advisors is a powerful step towards intentional self-improvement. By consciously selecting individuals who inspire you and embodying their key qualities, you create a framework for growth and accountability.

Remember that we have already written a post on this general subject: Design Your Personal Board of Advisors for Growth and Guidance.

WonderSage's personalized approach to self-help aligns perfectly with this concept. Create a WonderSage book to explore the qualities of your personal board, identify areas for growth, and build a personalized action plan.