Friends are top-of-mind on a day that celebrates friendship. A day that is devoted to National Friendship is to encourage people across the country and the globe to connect with friends. Throughout our lives, friendships and their meanings evolve and how!!
Tracking the background of this significant day, National Friendship Day was originally founded by Hallmark in 1919. In April 2011, the United Nations officially recognized 30th July as International Friendship Day. In other countries it is recognized on August 2.
On this auspicious day, we wonder how the entrepreneur universe can get an advantage with their band of friends. For entrepreneurs, starting a business is indeed, a great deal of hard work. If you’re going to succeed, you need good people around you – to support you. And, if entrepreneurs see that they can move ahead, doing their best, then that makes them better entrepreneurs, for sure…for what are good friends for?
Who are some types of friends, entrepreneurs need?
• The nitpicker: Don’t get distracted or discouraged by what they say. This friend will have his or her own ideas, and may nitpick. Since, at some point of time, you’re going to have to put your Big Idea out into the business world, feedback from a critical friend is so, so important. Your friend will only be honest, and that will help you get it right the first time. You should know when to seek advice and opinions wisely.
• The supporter: If the critical friend is for when you need the hard truth, the supporter is the opposite. When you’re going through a difficult time, your friend may tell you what you want to hear in the best way. You will be in for some tough times in your business journey and sometimes, this encouraging friend is just what you need when you’re feeling down!
• The opposite: We offer friendship to people with whom we have things in common – that cement friendship. We all need friends who understand exactly what we’re going through, but it can be just as valuable to be friends with someone who’s on a completely different path. This friend may reveal what’s going on elsewhere, which can teach us a lot. They will remind us that there’s no right answer, and give us an insight into other options – to keep us focused on why we want to achieve our goals. It can be tough to keep friendship alive, as you might not have much in common, but it’s always good to see a fresh, new perspective. It will do wonders to your business growth!
• The one who was behind you all the way: As you make new contacts in your business journey, some of them will become good friends. As we grow and change, our friendship groups change too. We pass through different life stages but it’s important to remember who’s been there for you from the beginning. Long-term friendships will help you stay balanced.
Friendships change, just like our goals. And, like all relationships this needs to be worked on. A strong circle of friends is the best support you can get. So, it’s important to invest time in building and maintaining you friendships – as you launch and then go on to build your business.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
