Why You Should Consider Joining a Creative Coast Circle

This week’s blog is from Casey Herrington, program director for TAG Savannah (Technology Association of Georgia), co-founder of Savannah-based adventure company Geoseekers, and now a volunteer Circle host.  Read on as Casey spreads the word about Creative Coast Circles, a much needed resource for Savannah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.  FYI – The Creative Coast’s blogspot is Savannah’s sounding board for local thinkers, innovators, wanderers and wonders. Guest bloggers share their thoughts, opinions and creative noodling from all over the map… .

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Meeting more than 100 entrepreneurs during the past year while serving as a community organizer for 1 Million Cups has made me realize a common denominator between entrepreneurs: everyone struggles in some area of their business.

This reality doesn’t just apply to entrepreneurs. Working on a project as entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators or builders will come with its challenges, so it is important, especially for those working alone, to engage with your local community in order to improve your chance for success. Knowing the importance of professional and social engagement, Andy Cabistan, co-founder of Watson Works; Kait Lance, community manager at The Creative Coast; and myself are working with The Creative Coast to begin a new series titled “Creative Coast Circles” that will serve as a platform for entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators and builders to engage with a community of like-minded people. So is joining a Creative Coast Circle right for you? Let’s find out. Have you ever found yourself trying to work through a problem or think through an idea? Of course, you have!  And you most likely do this on a daily basis.   Problems and problem-solving are a reality of life. Well, Kenneth H. Blanchard sums up the importance of having others there to help by saying:

“None of us is as smart as all of us.”

Having a Circle of people can serve as a valuable playground to bounce your ideas and problems around, gaining collective feedback to incorporate into your solution. Remember that the collective thoughts of the Circle are smarter than your individual brainstorming sessions.

Work alone, Suffer alone

Human beings are social creatures by nature. That’s why it’s no surprise to hear that “social support is psychologically powerful,” and that those who work in isolation have an increased chance of battling both depression and anxiety. Creative Coast Circles can serve as a beneficial outlet for connecting with others, sharing our expertise and gaining insights from fellow Circle members.

Surround yourself with people that force you to do better

Arguably, the heart of success is being able to maintain a high level of accountability to ensure the necessary follow-through from idea to execution. Joining a Creative Coast Circle can give you a small group of people that can help to hold you accountable for completing the projects that you’re working towards or ensuring that you will persevere through a tough time in your job or business. Did any of these themes resonate with you? Then joining a Creative Coast Circle is the right move. Visit the Creative Coast Circles page to sign up and obtain more details about this effort. Casey]]>