040. 5 Friends You Need in Your Tribe
A few blogs back I posted a blog “7 Signs Your Friends Don’t Like You,”
Cue music “What about your friends will they stand their ground? Will they let you down again? What about your friends are they gonna be low down? Will they ever be around or will they turn their backs on you?”
*insert 90s dance break*
For some of you it was eye-opening, while others could easily discern the friends from foes. Today, I don’t want to focus on said frenemies, but the more positive influences in your circle. If you are like me the older you get the more you realize that there is more value in a tribe of quality friends than quantity. Yes there is strength in numbers, but when it comes to your sanity and good will, having a sound support system and authentic fellowship quality wins. Every female needs a tribe of woman supporting her. A fierce tribe can be the difference between success and failure or finding yourself on a walk of shame at 6 in the morning.
Have you ever heard the saying you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with? If that is the case your success hinges on your social relationships with others. Regardless of the path you take in life, you need people in your corner who will challenge you, make you better and help you maintain a happy life. A fierce tribe can consist of an infinite number of women, however, there are 5 key players that you need in your tribe to increase your level of happiness and success. So what type of chicks do you need by you side? I’ve identified 5 key women you need in your circle to keep you going.
The Urban socialite
The socialite, is your Instagrammy-worthy bestie that is well known for her beauty and superb fashion sense. She is fond of social activities and holds a high social position. She is all about the prestigious entertainment from upscale nightclubs, charity events, fashion shows and fine art galas. The socialite’s address book and social connections are her most prized possessions and she serves as your link to the superlative events around town. Why do you need a socialite on your team? In addition to her social connections, the socialite exudes confidence. So much confidence it is bound to rub off on anyone in her proximity. In addition, the socialite is a key player to enhancing you cultural awareness, attend enough events with her and you are sure to meet a diverse group of interesting people.
The Implausible One
Everyone needs that one girlfriend that no one understands exactly why you are friends or even how you became to be friends in the first place. You can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone, which is why this unlikely friendship just works. No one understands your relationship. She may have interest that are different than yours, live a different lifestyle or practice different behaviors, yet you two just click. This implausible friend challenges your perspective or outlook on life. She makes you look at things in new ways or takes you outside your comfort zones. And you know what happens when you leave your comfort zone, right? Growth! The implausible one is great for exploring uncharted territories and experiencing new things. The implausible one will be the friend that is down for the “nontraditional” activities your other friends hate or are unlikely to try.
Miss Independent
Miss independent is your career obsessed girlfriend who always puts business first. She constantly reminds you that she is i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t, her success comes from her hard work and dedication to the mere fact she can say so. Miss Independent’s primary focus is on climbing the corporate ladder, or she may be a business owner of her own. Your business-minded friend is a great asset to your tribe, because she provides the best sound advice. Miss Independent loves achievement and will be a supportive friend in your aspirations and goals. She will be there to celebrate your accomplishments and major milestones of success, just as well as she will be there to push you to the next level. With Miss Independent on your team, you will never have to worry about getting off track or losing focus, because she will be there to pull you right back on track.
The Optimist
The optimist is the best friend to have around when stuff hits the fan, when you are down and out or just need some motivation to get through the moment. The optimist is always upbeat and positive. She is proactive, persistent and confident. Every cloud has a silver lining, she sees the good in every situation. Just having this high-hopes beauty in your presence lifts your spirits. I love the quote from Winston Churchill who define the optimist as a person who see the opportunity in every difficulty. The optimist is going to be there to encourage you to focus on the positive aspects in your life without dwelling on the negative ones. She will always be there to express gratification, not only for big blessings but even the smallest of deeds.
The Realistic Chick
And last but certainly not least, the Tell-It-Like-It-Is sister that always has to keep it real. The realistic chick is the friend you love to hate. You never have to guess what she is thinking or worry about her sugarcoating anything, she will always say what’s on her mind and tell you the real deal. Even if it is a hard pill to swallow the realistic chick will give you raw, uncut advice in any situation. The realist chick always has an opinion and is overeager to let you know exactly what her two cents is. She is a good communicator (and debater). The realistic chick yearns to reason in any situation, she will examine all angles and provide a sound judgement, possible outcomes and alternatives. The realistic chick may get you in hot water from time-to-time, but she will also be there to bail you out. She’s a great asset to your tribe because she offers great insight and rationale behind the decisions you make throughout your life. When others tell you what you want to hear, you can count on the realistic chick to tell you exactly what you need to hear.