The Fear of Not Belonging

And How to Finally Know You Do.

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and, most easily of all, the gate of fear.”

• Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Life can be lonely.

You’re constantly cycling your way through life, working for yourself, competing to get to your personal best, trying to break your own sales records.

Often, you set your own schedule. And, while you are constantly meeting with clients or prospects – you primarily work by and for yourself.

That isolation can be tough. In fact, it can feed one of the most universal fears.

The fear of not belonging.

The more we work by ourselves – no matter how fruitful our efforts, and how successful our careers – it begins to make us feel that we don’t truly belong.

And belonging is one of the most fundamental human needs.

We all need to belong to a tribe – whether it’s a networking group or a family. As humans, we are simply hardwired to be a part of a community.

“…as humans, we need to belong. To one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and country, to our world. Belonging is primal, fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being.” http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/01/health/enayati-importance-of-belonging/index.html

So, how can you conquer your fear of not belonging, to achieve greater personal fulfilment, and more awesome professional growth?

Start by connecting.

Connect Professionally

Invite colleagues for a cup of coffee. Join a networking group where you can discover other likeminded individuals.

Connect with Family

Make family a priority – and dedicate more time to spend with your kids, your partner, and your loved ones.

Connect with Friends

Put energy into your friendships outside of work. Have weekly dinners, meet your friends for walks, movies, or just a drink after work.

Connect with Community

Feed your social self by being a more active part of your local community. Volunteer, join a club, or support a local cause.

Connect Creatively

Do something totally different – join a band, start a knitting club, take a Spanish class. Remember that you have a life and loves outside the office.

We are multifaceted beings – and that means that to satisfy all your talents and ideas, you may need to reach out and connect with many different communities.

You are important and meaningful to those around you. The only person that needs to be reminded? You.

Connect with like-minded people at the upcoming Wellness Retreat and know the feeling of belonging