Being a Support Partner is an essential part of the program because it makes support available when you need it most, and it also allows you to step outside of yourself to support & encourage someone else. And, by helping others, you help yourself - a true WIN-WIN for both partners!
Guidelines for Support Partners
- They do their best to make time for each other without taking advantage or monopolizing the other's time.
- They take your feelings & needs into account.
- They respect each other's boundaries.
- They give advice based on your well-being.
- They are not friends who commiserate or focus on the negative things they have in common, but rather they do their best to uplift, encourage, and inspire the other - always trying to see the positives in situations and continuously reminding the other just how powerful they really are!
- They tell you tough truths when you need to hear them.
- They never talk about "their stores" - what brought them to the place where they are now.
- They celebrate your triumphs with you.
- They do their best to keep the conversation positive.
- They encourage you to be better today than you were yesterday.
- They don't feel sorry for each other nor do they give any reason for anyone to feel sorry for them.
- They open possibilities for you that you didn’t realize existed.
- They are trustworthy, good listeners and keep all conversations between each other in confidence.
- They are not afraid to call you out when you are getting trapped in a victim story, acting negatively, or refusing to take the life-line they are trying to give you.
- They are honest, understanding, kind, and respectful.
- They do not judge each other or their life circumstances.
- When an issue develops between them, they bring it up in a non-confrontational way and quickly resolve it.
- They have the unwavering belief that healing for both of them is absolutely possible!
Rules for Support Partners
- You must have thoroughly completed the 5-Week Intensive Webinar Program before you can become a Support Partner
- Once you are assigned a Support Partner, exchange contact information as well as your available days & times, and plan your first phone meeting.
- Never disclose the name of your health condition so you no longer identify with it.
- Instead of using the word, condition or health issue, use wellness.
- Dedicate an hour to talk each week, equally dividing up the time, so both feel supported.
- Keep the conversations drama-free & always try to look for the positives.
- If you need advice or encouragement, because of something that happened, don't try to recap too much of what happened, but rather, do your best to move forward.
- Do your best to follow the above Guidelines for Support Partners.
Support is a two-way street. Once you become a Support Partner, do your best to build that relationship. Connect with them regularly and keep them updated about your life. Invite them into your decisions and explain your reasoning—then ask for their honest opinion. Be open to feedback, even if it’s not always what you want to hear. The best supporters will tell you tough truths and help you see your options from different perspectives. It’s also important to be open to advice. Your support system can’t help you if you don’t consider what they have to say. When making big decisions, talk to members of your support system who have knowledge in areas where you’re unfamiliar. We all have unique knowledge based on our own life experiences. You can use the knowledge of your supporters to make better decisions. Life is better when you don’t have to go it alone, and you can go farther than you ever thought possible on your own.