The Importance of a Social Support Network in Achieving Your Goals
Written by Justin Wright
Arnold Schwarzenegger is famous for saying that he believes the concept of a self-made man is a myth. When he spoke at the University of Houston, he stated, “I wouldn’t be here without my parents, my mentors, my teachers.”
Developing a Social Support Network has numerous benefits, both mental and physical. Supportive behaviors have been shown to reduce stress and to reduce feelings of isolation, leading to better long-term emotional health. While these benefits seem self-explanatory, how does a social support network positively impact goal-setting? Furthermore, how can you utilize this support to ultimately be more productive and more successful?
What is a social support network?
Finding a network of people who can provide guidance and assistance is critical for achieving your goals. Doing hard work in isolation is incredibly difficult, and accomplishing daunting tasks will inevitably require a good deal of hard work. The bigger your goals, the more social support you will ultimately need to be successful.
Think about the difference in effort required in completing a single project at work versus building a successful company. Both of these things can be goals, but the input required for each is vastly different. To put this into a fitness context, think about the difference in difficulty of getting your first muscle-up and qualifying for the CrossFit Games. As you can imagine, the latter requires a much larger support network and is almost impossible to do alone.
Try not to confuse a support group with a support network. A support group is generally put in place to handle a crisis situation or to help provide a community for overcoming some type of destructive behavior. These involve support groups for eating disorders, addiction, etc. A support network, on the other hand, is a collection of family, friends, peers and mentors who provide guidance and add value to your life. They can offer advice, physical resources, perspective and feedback to bolster your resolve and help provide direction when you may be lost or confused on your journey. Support networks also provide a sense of belonging, increased feelings of self-worth and increased feelings of security.
Forms of Social Support
Social support comes in four major forms, each expressed by a different type of person in your support network:
Emotional Support
These are expressions of empathy, love, trust and caring. Emotional support resonates with you on a personal level.
Instrumental Support
These are concrete, tangible forms of assistance. This involves someone in your network sacrificing some resource for your benefit.
Informational Support
These are suggestions, information, advice or other knowledge to assist you. This can be both professional or personal, depending on the type of information.
Appraisal Support
These are similar to informational situations, but instead focus on information that is directly relevant for self-evaluation. Constructive criticism falls under this category.
Identifying Who is Best to Provide Each Type of Support
Each of these forms of support are useful and relevant in differing situations. It is also important to understand that they will often be provided by very different people in your support network.
For example, it would be entirely appropriate for your spouse to provide emotional support by loving and encouraging you during the times when working on your goals becomes arduous and difficult. They can provide a unique viewpoint as your life partner that others in your network may not have. Emotional support can also come from parents or close friends who know you on a deeper, personal level.
A professional mentor, on the other hand, would be more likely to provide informational support by giving you increased knowledge and offering the perspective of someone who has likely already accomplished what you have set out to do.
An effective boss or manager may provide frequent doses of appraisal support by providing valuable feedback or criticism to help you perform better and optimize your efforts as you work towards your goals.
Instrumental support can come from many sources: your spouse may be willing to pick up more hours at work so that you can spend more time building your business, or a close friend or mentor may be willing to lend you startup money for this same business.
Regardless of what form the social support takes, all of them are equally important and effective. The more daunting the task in front of you, the bigger support network you will likely need. As your goals increase in scope, you will find that each type of support will be well-suited to a particular aspect of accomplishing that task.
To go back to our example of qualifying for the CrossFit Games, you would need support in each of these forms throughout the process. Emotional support from your friends and loved ones would help them be empathetic to how much time you are spending in the gym, how strict you are with your diet, and the fact that you would likely miss many social events.
Instrumental support may come from sponsors or members of your gym who help provide funding and resources for you to travel to competitions.
Informational support would come from your coach who tailors your training to best prepare you, or from another athlete you know who has already qualified in the past and knows what it takes.
Appraisal support may be the most useful in accomplishing this particular goal; the friend or peer who convinces you that you are adequately prepared, and instills belief in yourself when you step out onto the competition floor falls under this category. Each is valuable, and each is necessary along the way.
How to Develop a Support Network
Developing your support network can be as simple as informing those around you that you are undertaking a new task or working towards a new goal. Part of effective goal-setting requires you to share your goals with your network. If your friends and family know what you are trying to accomplish, they will likely be more willing and prepared to offer assistance when and if they can. On top of creating support, this also creates accountability! You are more likely to succeed if you don’t want to let those around you down and if you have the additional support you need when the going ultimately gets tough.
If the people in your life don’t understand your goal, or aren’t willing to provide assistance, then it is important that you look elsewhere. Seek out those with similar ideas or with a similar mindset. With the advent of social media, there are countless support networks on Facebook where people share thoughts and ideas. A quick Google search will turn up various groups and support networks in every major city and area around the world. Start spending time around those people, and start seeking out people who are trying to accomplish the same things you are.
The environment that you spend time in determines how your genes are expressed, and ultimately determines the type of person you become. Jim Rohn famously said that, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals so that you can not only grow your support network, but also be part of the networks of others. Your gym community is a great place to start! Find those in the classes you take or the events you attend who have similar goals and work to help each other succeed. Encourage those around you to push themselves and set increasingly challenging goals. Try to always under-promise and over-deliver; go out of your way to provide support to others and watch as that support, in turn, is provided back to you.
Mentors are another great resource. These are individuals who have achieved a level of success in their field that you ultimately want to attain. Mentor-mentee relationships are incredibly useful because they can teach you to avoid the mistakes they inevitably made along the way. Failure is life’s greatest teacher, but learning how to avoid common pitfalls from someone who has been there before can save you valuable time and frustration. Mentors almost always love being mentors! Don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you think fits the mold and can provide help and guidance to you, chances are they will jump at the opportunity.
When should I change my support network?
Knowing that you are the sum of those you surround yourself with, it is equally important to know when your support network is no longer serving your best interests. Sometimes, when you set large goals, those around you may become uncomfortable because of your drive and determination. Some people in life are perfectly content being mediocre, and these people are often the first to try and douse your flame when you work towards a new goal. If you find yourself surrounded by negativity and are not receiving the support you need, consider changing the people you look towards for support.
The support network is a symbiotic relationship; they should be providing as much value as you provide to them. If you find that individuals in your life are taking far more than they give, consider cutting them out of your life or minimizing your interactions with them. It sounds harsh, but the reality is that you cannot afford to let people be a drain on your energy and prevent you from accomplishing your goals.
Alternatively, as your goals change so too must your support network. If you have supportive family and friends then they will always be a part of your network. However, if your goals change then you may be forced to alter your network to attain the help and support that you need. The mentors or peers required to qualify for the CrossFit Games are likely quite different than the mentors and peers required to build a successful business. Routinely audit your support network to ensure that those who are providing information, support, and guidance are actually helping you accomplish your goals. Also realize that it is entirely likely that your support network will be slightly different for different goals!
Invest in Yourself
It is almost impossible to accomplish most tasks if you go at them completely alone. As you accomplish your goals and they compound to form bigger, loftier goals, realize that your support network oftentimes must evolve as well. Seek out mentors who have been down that road before, and seek to learn as much as you can from those with valuable information to give.
At the end of the day the smartest investment you can make is investing in yourself; surround yourself with supportive individuals who can teach you valuable lessons, and try to absorb as much of that information as you can. When challenges come, which they inevitably will, lean on your support network to help you keep your head above water and ultimately succeed. You must also be willing to provide the support and guidance that others around you may need from time to time. Building a support network is a two-way street and requires you to give just as much as you get back. No matter what form your support network takes, it will prove to be one of the most valuable resources you have in helping you accomplish your goals!
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I truly understand these methods but my issue is I get confused at times and I get frustrated and allow myself to shut down instead of clearing my thoghts or reaching out for assistance or help….
I really understand but my problem is I need to start asking for help and not be scared to also.
I never in my wildest dream would of thought going back to school would be so stressful don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed meeting new people and learned different things but it has been stressful, I have had to make some Big Changes in my life and one of them has been to cut a lot off people out of my life that was not good to have in life, They were bringing me down besides trying to bring up and they would say that I need to just quit and give up on school that I would… Read more »
Emotional support has a major effect on me especially now because I am a mother of 2. I feel like I’m always an emotional person. I have the understanding that emotional support is better than most because at some point in life emotions would play a big part. There’s no better feeling knowing that you’re able to make your loved ones feel comfortable and happy. Happy with themselves especially when life gets hard. Comfortable with their life. In my mind there’s no better feeling than reassurance. Like I said I only feel like this because I am a mother, so… Read more »
informational seems to be the best one for me that I’ve gotten so far. I have gotten information from different dealers that I deal with on The daily and they tell the do’s and the don’ts of the business and which dealers or contractors to go with and who not to go with based on experience and word of mouth. although I do receive emotional support as well for my home and my family I find the information was the best right now for successful accomplishment of my goals
WOW….I didn’t know that attempting to accomplish things on my own would be stressful,however,it make a lot of sense to me because being isolated does lead to frustration etc,when a study group could relieve a lot of stress
How ironic right. It’s never really knowing what or when you decide to take into consideration that your growth will be manifested through the change you’ve implemented in your life and the people around you that you’ve allowed to understand what is so important to you and why it’s important.
I completely understand what
You are saying. I have to do
Better at asking for Help.
I have regular articles several times and I believe there are great, but every article reflects to other people in different ways. Not everybody learns the same way. Some articles may help people in other ways in a does somebody else which is not a bad thing you just have to learn how to Understand, what it’s saying?
My name is Mandy Tilley I’ve also didn’t realize how many times a day or a week that I use my support systems my emotional support system being my my spouse where he had a praises me everyday for trying to move forward with my life in doing things to get out of the right that we’re in. My instrumental support right now would be my doctor’s and everything that are helping me get through a rough time letting me know everything that is going on and how to fix the problems. My informational support right now would be the… Read more »
I am trying to got ahold of Iza bobby had to make up a new email .some one close the other on down don’t know what to do about my classes
Good afternoon class after reading these articles I never realized how much I use these support systems on a daily basis.The emotional support that I have had from my family and friends is so wonderful and when i was working the instrumental support from my spouse at that time was amazing. The informational support that i recieved from my bosses and managers was incrediably well worth the talks.Appraisal support can also run right along with informational support great wide support from all these sources and I personally plan on using all of them more often now that I i recognize… Read more »
When I go to meetings in my area these are support groups such as NA an AA, I also have a professional mentor known as a sponsor i use him for both Instrumental and Informational support. I have learned this growing up in the heart of Baltimore city also there are networks inside these networks that we build to make our overall support system stronger and more flexible to our needs.
I also use my AA sponsor as a informative/ professional support in my network. I use my home group also as a personal support. I don’t believe the steps are only good for AA /NA. I have found they work in all lives that really apply them. There is always a hand up so to speak in these groups when going thru a hard time in personal/professional life. I also have joined a widows support group and a online student support group. Yet the AA group seems most ready to help when needed.im very grateful to them all.
Good for you Heather; My support group is very diversified and just full of knowledge and help. I also was widowed by my fiancé Veronica. who died in my arms from and overdose, it was super tragic, and i don’t think I have entirely gotten over it, may haps Ill join a group for this as well, thank you for your support.
Hi Keith so sorry to hear that,Drug and alcohol abuse is are some serious situtations and it really takes a good support system to cope with it,and when you got that most of the time all obstacles can be overcome.But you have to be willing to do put in the works if you are sincere.Keith if you need to talk or anything please do not hesitate to hit me up.
Dearest Kieth, I am so entirely sorry for your loss! I know what losing a spouse is. It is more than that person, it’s your whole life, the future you had planned, and just so much. I truly hope you can find a support group for your loss, as well. It is so important to have that support from people who are in the same type of situation. I wish I had something comforting to say or words of wisdom, but my own pain is still fresh for me as well. I will be praying for you. Good luck to… Read more »
The importance of a social network is invaluable to me,after reading the articles,I realized how important a/my suport system is I get most of my support from friends and family, and the people I go to groups with. I had to let go of my childish waysaswell as my childish friends. However in getting over this, it makes room for new friends ,and a fresh start. Ive heard this saying a few times, “all olong i was juidging myself by my intentions,and i found out the world was jusdging me by my actions.” That’s a quote from The Big book… Read more »
Love that one as well! The 11nth step prayer helped me to get out of myself a bit and understand what I really wanted to be for others as well. I have great support in my groups and want to only be as supportive as I can for others as well. Of course, in healthy ways as well.
The are I just read was a expansion of things I do on a daily bases always checking myself and my surrounding. It alas gave me extra information that I wasn’t aware of that i needed. Very informative. Thanks
yes i agrees as well. very informative. The little that we do we don’t even realize what it is or where it comes from sometimes, but now I do. Thanks for the enlightenment
The article I just read about having a system was not only interesting but insightful of who you need around you to help you out when you find yourself against the wall or just lost. I have been having issues with my device a HP Chromebook that at times I just want to chuck out the window because it has been a struggle to get into some of my applications or that it will completely wipe out what I have been working on, for example this weekend as I was documenting my assignment on Type Focus after 9 hours of… Read more »
How very frustrating it must have been to work get your online work suddenly erased like that, I have been in that zone myself. emotions are like tidal waves, washing away rational thinking reflexively. I takes strong support to steer clear of our threats to our desired goals.
I am relearning the basic office skills that I learned in my first experience at online learning. experience. technology has moved forward and its a challenge to ride that wave but oh so very soul satisfying.
Stay focoused and true to your goals because that is really all we have.
Oh my GOD, i know what your talking about. I just bought a new HP Pavilion
and it has Microsoft 360 stock, but through the college were using 365, so when iim ooperating in my laptop on my computer, it’s totally seperate then the things i do for class, so im allover the place with open windows trying to get things connefted. At any rate the point is that we got it done.
Nery I’m so sorry that happened to you and glad that the support of your sister made you not give up.At times like that we need all the support we can get.
Nery, I too have issues with my computer, but it’s not the computers fault in my case. I have a brand-new HP laptop it’s a pavilion and it comes stalk with Microsoft office products including Microsoft 365 ANY-who my computer stores information separately then my college work, so I have trouble accessing files that i create SO I end up submitting the wrong files to waypoint and to the instructor. mostly I have been submitting incomplete versions of the same documents. Opps what can i say about this when it comes to my grades. nothing my error isn’t the professor’s… Read more »
Hello everyone, after the article I have come to the conclusion that I have this support system currently in my life right now. Maybe I’m one of the fortunate ones but I’m thankful. Bad circumstances sometimes if channeled correctly can result in positive opportunities. My bad circumstance became a blessing because now I’m a student at UAGC working on my Bachelor of Science Cyber Security & Data Technology.
Hi Timothy,that’s good to hear that and welcome to class.Sometimes bad situations can turn into blessings I’m glad you recieved yours and I hope that being we all have been using these methods and techniques all along that now we know may make this chapter easy.
Reading this made me realize how big of a support system i have
. If it wasn’t for my kids family and friends i would of never took the next step rolling into college.
This article opened up my knowledge of the different types of support systems and their importance. I realize that my family and a few of my co-workers are some of my biggest supporters.
I am actually just starting to learn that i have had the resources all along but the problem is , is that a closed mouth don’t get fed.
systems will help me going through school; and in every day life. And knowing about all the the support we have while in school and in every day life
After reading this, further allows me to notice how many systems of help there for support and the proper way to gauge and acknowledge the correct support that you need and why after reading this, it further allow me to notice how many systems of help there is for support and the proper way to gauge and acknowledge the correct support that you need and why is it it is important in developing a plan for success, and accomplishing and achieve goals that you sen in developing a plan for success, and to accomplish and achieve goals that you set
I agree you, on these subjects, I wish I had considered these issues sooner in life, as it would have affected my choices and perhaps i would have not made so many mistakes. But now were on to a new chapter both in education and life. so on this note Happy ventures.
When i read this section I thought about my family, friends,and coworks that support me throw my time of going dacl to school and to get a better education. I Also never looked at my family for a lot of support but they are giving it to me now