Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.n—Andrew CarnegiennI grew up playing sports, particularly baseball and football. I played throughout high school and college. I loved the game; however, what I enjoyed most was working with a group of people toward a specific goal. I enjoyed the thrill of the game, being “in the moment,” giving everything I had to help the team win. I really missed sports when I graduated from college and went out into the real world. I was led to believe that I had to do everything on my own in the business world to be successful. I made a good living, worked hard, but missed that special feeling that I had when I was playing sports. I received awards and promotions at work but could never match that “something” I had with sports. nnAfter 20 years of searching, the answer was sitting right in front of me the whole time . . . teams! That is what I loved about sports, and it applies to all aspects of life. Teamwork is the essence of success. And like sports, the key to a great team is coaching. A good coach places the players into the best position to help the team accomplish its goals.nnAfter playing sports for years, reading many biographies on successful people in the real world, and experiencing my own failures through my lack of teams, I finally got it. Do not try to do everything myself. Create teams to help me reach my goals. Once I understood this concept, my life changed forever, and my success began to accelerate.nI am excited to give you the keys to creating your own dream teams. You can immediately begin to enjoy life the way you always imagined it should be. Let’s get started! nnCreating Your Dream TeamnnThe challenge is finding the right people to help you accomplish your goals. Gathering a successful team is not only helpful, but essential. In school you had mentors, advisors, club leaders, fellow students, teachers, and others to help you accomplish your goals of getting good grades and eventually graduating from school. The only difference now is finding the right teammates to match your future goals. You will be looking for bankers, financial planners, health and fitness coaches, or businesspeople associated with your line of work. Have a team for every aspect of your future goals and dreams. You do not have to know everything, you just need to find the right people that do and have them on your team!nn1. Look for those individuals that logically fit into the specific team you are forming. For example, if you are going to begin investing in real estate, you would want a banker, real estate agent, and mortgage broker on your team, to name a few. If you are working on your health and fitness, you would look for a nutritionist, workout facility, fitness coach, and so on. n2. Check the prospects’ interest level. Personally meet with them and make sure they have the interest and ability to help you as it relates to your goals and direction. n3. Listen to the prospects’ responses. A response tells you a lot about someone’s integrity, character, and skills.n4. Do your homework. Are they successful in their particular fields? Do they understand what you are trying to accomplish, and are they going to support you? n5. Find a successful mentor/coach for each team you form. For example, if you are going to start an Internet business, get information from people who are already successful in that field. Do not ask Uncle Joe if he has no experience with an Internet business. That would be like going to an auto mechanic to ask about the best stock to buy! Ask those individuals who have proven success in your area of interest. You will find they will want to share their success principles, if you ask.nThe last critical piece of advice is to consistently check for the following key attributes in your new team and in yourself. You have to be a great team player as well, so that you can help your team succeed.nnAttributes of a Team PlayernnNow check the following attributes to see how well you stack up as a team player and to learn what to look for in bringing your team together.nn1. Flexible. Know your goal, but understand that there can be numerous routes to achieve it. Know your strengths and weaknesses.n2. Dedicated. Get in the habit of asking what is best for the team. Develop a strong level of commitment. Tie your commitments to your values. No one who ever gave his best regretted it.n3. Communicator. Communication is important in the teaming process. Open communication develops trust. Having a hidden agenda or talking behind people’s backs hurts team relationships. If you encounter an issue with a teammate, deal with it immediately. Share information. Teammates will be more likely to support you when they are in the loop.n4. Team minded. Be a giving person.n5. Positive. Think solutions, not problems. Be enthusiastic. All problems can be dealt with. Problems can help you and your team grow . . . or dissolve.n6. Value your teammates. Add value: Believe in them, and help bring out their uniqueness. Help them reach their potential.n7. Endless learner. Value self-improvement above self-promotion.n8. Organized. Be prepared.n9. Accountable. Have teammates be responsible for their actions. Do not play the “blame game.”n10. Disciplined. See the big picture.nnNow that you have all the ingredients to create your dream teams, decide what areas in your life would benefit from this team approach. Share your gifts with the team, and enjoy the personal and financial rewards that will follow. As Zig Ziglar says, “You can have everything you want in life if you help enough other people receive what they want.” Live your dreams!nn** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit
http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways3.html nn