How many times have you gotten into a situation where you either didn't know what the best course of action was, or knew what it was, but were unable to access it? It's very frustrating to struggle with a choice when none of the options before you seem like the right one. Even more frustrating is when you do know which option to choose, but can't figure out how to make it happen.

The key to accessing all the "endless possibilities" in any circumstance can be said in one word: NETWORKING! Before you make a choice that you are not completely satisfied with, make sure to exhaust all of the resources at your disposal.  That means having all the people you know and trust (friends, family, and professional colleagues) tap into their network of friends, family, and professional colleagues to see if there are other possibilities you haven't considered, or (even better) make a connection for you to access the choice you really want. I use the word TRUST intentionally, because some situations are very sensitive and may cause more harm than good if you share them with the wrong people.

There is a quote from the Bible I've always loved that represents this concept perfectly: "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12b). The context of the verse refers to having a strong line of defense, but the essence is really about having a good support system in place to conquer difficult challenges and (in my opinion) uncover all the endless possibilities in any situation.

The more strands you have in your support network, the easier it is to find ways to meet your needs in any circumstance. Over the years I have developed a strong habit of networking which has allowed me to build many, many strands in my support system. In fact, rarely do I ever reach out to my support network and not get what I need, or at least get more information to make the best choice I can.

Having a good support network makes all the difference between floundering in indecisiveness, and charging forward with confidence, no matter what the situation is. If you don't have a good support network, it's probably time to create one.

Developing a support network is very simple. The difficult part is consistently making a habit of connecting to that support system so that it grows without much effort.  Here are some resources I have come across over the years that have helped me grow my support network successfully:

• http://www.usnpl.com/ - Find the online version of your local paper. I often go to mine to see what events are going on in my area which will allow me to connect to the type of people I want to develop relationships with in both my personal and professional life.
• http://dir.yahoo.com/News_and_Media/Magazines/ - Do research to find magazines in your area of interest. Then find their online versions (or subscribe to them) to gain current information on various topics, hobbies, or professional resources so you can uncover answers to any of your questions more quickly or attend events that may prove helpful.
• Associations - There are dozens of associations in any major city (do an internet search). If you want to excel in your professional life, I strongly suggest you visit a few of them and then spend the money to join only the ones that will benefit you most. Connecting with business professionals on a regular basis has solved a host of personal and professional challenges during my life. And some really great friendships have come out of them too.
• Local Clubs - Spend some time thinking about things you enjoy doing and find other people who like them too. Regularly attending a special interest club of any sort allows you to meet people from all walks of life, which means that you will have multiple resources available to you as you develop those relationships. Here's my example:
• In 2001, I decided I was finally going to get a motorcycle (I had been dreaming of doing so since I was a young girl). I wanted people to ride with so I investigated all the motorcycle groups in my area. After much research, I chose to join the Southern Cruisers Riding Club. Through that group, I have gained a "brotherhood" of resources that constantly amaze me. Just this past year those resources have been invaluable: One of my riding buddies built my business website at no charge because he believed in what I was doing to improve my life. Another one of my buddies laid a an Ethernet wire through both floors of my house at no charge so I would have direct internet access in my office because my wireless connection wasn't working. I have countless other stories as well of people helping me out in various ways just because of the friendships I've developed while networking. I do my best to return those favors however I can.

THE BEST RESOURCE OF ALL: Look around you!! - There are people around you all the time that could become a part of your network if you took the time to get to know them. Make a habit of inviting someone out for coffee at least once a month for the sole purpose of developing new relationships. Who knows what 30 minutes of conversation can do to positively impact your life? 

Kris Cavanaugh is a Life Coach who writes a monthly newsletter called Creating Endless Possibilities which contains great resources to help you create the life you want right now.  If you choose to subscribe to her newsletter, as a bonus you will receive a 12-week email series called Living Your Life "On Purpose.”  . Kris also offers a complimentary “Design Your Life” coaching session for anyone interested in investigating a coaching program.  To sign up for her newsletter or register for the complimentary meeting, go to www.transformationjourneys.com