THE Thing

So here's the thing... They say if you have a group of supply you are much more likely to reach your goals... People checking in on you, encouraging you, reminding you of what you've forgotten you want to accomplish. And you push harder when you have people watching... Literally and figuratively (just realized that could be a pun... Figuratively.... Hahahaha). This doesn't just apply to fitness. It's for anything! Health, fitness, sports, financial goals, spiritual goals... You name it.

So here is the question.... Do you have a group of people doing this for you? It can be family, friends, coworkers or an actual group!

I love the gym! I love building a community of people that want to be there, have a good time and push towards their goals.... Everyone feeds off of the people they are with. That's why they say "surround yourself with the people you want to become." That said, to take it that much further, a friend and I started a FB page for the women at my gym! We encourage each other, ramp up the energy and excitement about our next class or event that our instructors are holding (like we just did an 80's night in hip hop and a pitbull night in zumba). We connect with and start building relationships with the women in our classes (quite the feat when we had 115 women in our zumba class last night!). While we may not build authentic friendships... Some of us will... And we will push and fuel each other in our workouts.... We look forward to going, saying hi, being seen as a dedicated person, someone that pushes to New heights.... Even if you've never felt like you ever would be that person!

You get that extra umph to reach your goals. Just in the week that we've had this group going I've connected with 8 new women on a conversation level... Considering there are 30 women in the group, 115 in the class... In one week making those connections seems pretty great when you think about my being there for 4 months and only really connecting with 5-8 women in my time there on my own... It's fabulous!!!!

I'm finding myself pushing harder in class! And when I'm tired I think about how the way I finish is going to be watched and I'll hear about it from the girls.... So I push to keep the fire burning. I also push to build the energy in class. I have also found that our group members, because they're getting better acquainted, are high fiving, encouraging and "girl, you are tearing it up over there"-ing. It's so awesome! They're getting more comfortable and letting lose!

Now, I don't say that to say "check out what I'm doing", I say all that as a reminder. Sometimes there are things you want that you have to create. You want community at the gym, go create it! There isn't something that your church doesn't offer? Don't complain, talk to the people in charge and create it! If there is something you want out of life, guess what, its up to you to find out where it is or to make it happen. There is also an extra push when you're the one in charge. All I do is post, talk to the instructors to see if they are doing anything that they want posted, accept friend requests for the group, like peoples posts and show up to class.... But I'll tell you what! People feed off of the leaders energy.... Whether a group, a pastor... Being one of two group administrators means I take my energy up just an extra 5% ontop of my bubbly and intense fitness zone (I joke that I'm a Gemini... Which I am... You have Carol, and then you have fitness Carol... When I walk out my door to go to the gym... I enter the zone, and it isn't Auto Zone!). Its not something that requires a lot of work or even means that I get recognition, its low key but everyone recognises me and pays attention to what I and the other group members do in class... That extra accountability has been awesome!

So what's your goal? Is there a group that you can join? Do you need to start one? Find out what you're pushing for and get connected with people that are doing the same thing! People in different stages! People with positive mindsets! People that want other people to succeed too! "Team players".

You'll reach your goal faster, you'll build community, and you'll find that you become a more positive person for several reasons.... Some people just need a place to belong, you're around positive people and that positive outlook rubs off, you're encouraging and being encouraged, you meet mini-goals on your road to meeting your bigger goal and that builds confidence, enthusiasm and motivation... Especially when people in the group notice..... Let's face it... Sometimes we get discouraged when the men in our lives, the people we care about, our friends and coworkers don't notice the 5 or 10 pounds we lose... It feels disappointing... Like its not worth the effort.

First of all, we do it for us! Not acceptance, not a high five and not to achieve beauty.... We are valuable, have great worth and already are beautiful! We do it to live better, healthier, stronger and more positive lives! And sometimes the people we hope notice just aren't aware that you're hoping they say something (sometimes they notice in their head, make a mental note that you look good and never say anything... Sometimes because they've put on the 5 pounds you lost and don't want to think about it or because they don't want to draw attention to weight fluctuations because you went down and they haven't). Sometimes they just aren't observant people. Whatever the reason... If you're a person that needs affirmation, a cheerleading squad... Or are a person that is so driven that they don't need that at all since they push themselves.... Get plugged into a community!

You can encourage others, be encouraged! You also get the benefit that they are all watching you as you are watching them! If you're paying attention to their successes and energy levels and say something, they'll do the same for you! You compliment their losing 5 pounds, you better believe they'll be watching so they can say the same to you because you made them feel great!

Hear me on this! We don't say or do this because we want something back! It tends to happen automatically... But you say something because its genuine! You say something because its true and you care about that person and their efforts! Not because you want a compliment in return! That's being kind for selfish gain, and ladies, that isn't cute! It's ugly!

We all need encouragement. We all need community. Living with a negative mindset only makes you and those around you miserable! So make up your mind to have positive thoughts and say positive things... And surround yourself with positive people. Not only do you reach your goals faster, but you're a happier person along the whole course of the journey.... Cause reaching your goal won't bring you happiness.... The growth of your character on your way there is what makes it worth it!

So get plugged in or create the group! You only have tons and tons of things you'll gain! And remember, you are just as valuable now as you will be when you reach your goals... Those accomplishments don't make you valuable, Jesus made you valuable! There is always room to improve in any and everything, but its not to make us more valuable as a person, its to enrich our lives and the lives of the people around us.