When you think about it, no one who ever accomplished anything great did it by themselves. Other people encouraged and supported them along the way.

Take Oprah Winfrey, she is a powerhouse woman doing truly wonderful things for other women. She is able to do so much for so many because she places her trust in others to help her make it happen.

The same holds true for working mothers. Having a support team will make it easier and less stressful for you to balance the competing priorities of motherhood.

A support network can take many forms and may include family, friends, book club members, co-workers, business colleagues, industry associations, and strategic alliances. How your support team is structured will depend on what works best for you. You might find that a monthly supper club plus memberships in a couple of industry associations meets your needs. Or perhaps weekly email and telephone calls with business colleagues are ideal.

A good support team will evolve with you. The right people will come and go depending on the current circumstances of your life. If you experience any major life changes such as a career transition, birth of a child or move to a new location you will most likely want to adjust your support network accordingly.

The clients I work with who are the most successful at balancing work and life have built up a support network, but more importantly they have established an "inner circle." Creating an inner circle means surrounding yourself with people you trust who are invested in supporting you to be your best. Those individuals closest to you such as your life partner, a favorite aunt, dear friend and mentor form the basis of an effective inner circle.

Three key steps to setting up your inner circle are:

1.  Assess your situation
Be honest. Are you trying to handle it all by yourself? If the answer is yes, consider creating a support network and inner circle to help you reach your goals.

2.  Do your research
To put together a support team do a little research first. Determine where you most need help and start to identify people and groups that can make a difference in your life. If you've just started a family meet with other like-minded new parents. Participate in your local Chamber of Commerce to help grow your business. Start a running group to get in better shape.

3.  Make adjustments
If you do have a support network, take the time to assess its effectiveness and relevance. Is it meeting your needs? Does it reflect the stage in life you are at today? What additional resources or people would you ideally like to have access to?

4.  Communicate well
And finally, determine how you can best create, or collaborate with, your inner circle. Most of us have an inner circle we just don't realize it. There really are no limits on how many people you can have in your inner circle, but five to ten people is the optimal number.

Chances are you are checking in with those nearest to you already. But how can they help you move forward in your life? What do you need to communicate to them so they understand you value their input and ideas? How can you get your inner circle supporting you on a regular basis?

Let people into your life and ask for their support. Share your fears, frustrations and dreams with them. They will provide a different perspective, give you valuable insight and often make decision-making simpler. Having a support network means you don't have to go it alone.