To create the life you really want can be hard work AND it's totally worth it. Why is it so many of us think we have to do it ALL by ourselves! If this sounds like you, stop right now! To create and live the life you really want is much easier if you surround yourself with the five people below -- huggers, straight-shooters, mentors, success teams and experts. Soon, you'll wonder why you ever tried to go it alone!

Huggers
Straight-shooters
Mentors
Success Teams
Experts

Huggers:

Someone who is there for you with open arms, no matter what.

We all need "huggers" in our life -- a few special individuals who will be there for us when the chips are down and we feel like we can't go on. Huggers are the people in our life that will be there for us with open arms and a shoulder to lean on while providing words of encouragement when we most need it. They love us unconditionally, without judgment or strings attached.

Huggers are wise and embody love, compassion and acceptance. For some of us this may be family members and for others of us it may be friends, a spouse or partner. It doesn't matter who your hugger is as long as you have one in your life!

My huggers include:
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Straight-shooters:

Someone who will look you in the eye and tell you the truth.

Sometimes we need a little shake-up to help us get back on track, to see the light or to take a hard look at - whatever! We need straight-shooters! Straight-shooters are people who care for us, want the best for us AND are willing and able to provide us an objective eye. They don't sugar coat. Honesty is their best policy and they know to do anything else would be to sell us short.

A straight-shooter will sit you down, look you in the eye and challenge the things you say and do, or the things you don't say and don't do, all for the sake of waking you up. They see things about us we can't, or won't, see about ourselves. Not everyone has the ability to be an effective straight-shooter but those that can are priceless.

Straight-shooters come in the form of coaches, mentors, therapists AND best friends.

My straight-shooters are:
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Mentors:

Someone who's been there, done that!

A mentor's been where you want to go and they're willing to share their hard-earned wisdom and expertise. A mentor will save you time and money, shorten your learning curve and build your character. They stand before you on the path you're choosing with an enthusiastic, wise and confident spirit. They are the light posts on an otherwise darkened road, illuminating your passage.

Mentors are generous with their time and knowledge and all they ask for in return is that we do our best. Mentors like to see their mentees achieve success. Often times a mentor will choose us. Other times we must choose our mentors. Who in your community or business do you admire? Ask them if they'd be willing to mentor you over a period of time.

When you're lucky enough to keep the company of a mentor consistently "show up"; put all other things aside and give your mentor your full attention. Come prepared with questions and observations.

I would like the following individual(s) to mentor me:
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Success Teams:

You can't do it all alone so don't even try!

Details. Putting the pieces together. Getting things done. Fresh perspectives. Pats on the back. Accountability. These are just some of the things a Success Team can do for you. A Success Team is a group of 3-6 people that meet on a regular basis to support each other, provide feedback, brainstorm new ideas and celebrate each member's successes.

Creating a Success Team is a great way to reach your goals. Your team will be there for you again and again. Whether you're trying to lose weight, build a business or plan a European adventure, trying to do so alone can be taxing. Surrounding yourself with a group of people that care about you and your success will provide the support and encouragement you need to reach your goals.

The people I'd like on my success team include:
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Experts:

When a jack-of-all-trades won't cut it -- call in the Experts.

It's impossible to be great at everything. In fact, most of us have a finite number of talents and passions. Trying to be a jack-of-all-trades can keep us from doing what we want to do and do well naturally. For those things we can't do or don't know how to do -- get the help and/or advice of an expert.

There are experts for everything. Need accounting advice -- hire a professional accountant. Dislike administrative work -- hire a personal assistant. Want to create a website, consider hiring a professional designer rather then taking a do-it-yourself approach. Often times enlisting the help of an expert will save you time and money. An expert's gift is an experienced eye and deepened perspective.

Sometimes it may be necessary to have a personal relationship with the experts in your life. Other times it may be possible to elicit an expert's opinion through books they've written, courses they teach, or articles they've posted on their website. Bottom-line -- we can't do it ALL. When you find yourself outside your element -- call an expert.

Experts I need:
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Cari Vollmer is the creative founder of LifeOnTrack.com. LifeOnTrack.com