Who Are Your Cheerleaders?
These are dark days. We need a blast of a past blog, updated to remind us of the bright lights in our lives. Time to connect with the people who motivate us. We need them now more than ever.
Recall a moment when you were excited. Was it when you started a new project or a business or a new job? So much enthusiasm – we will set the world on fire! After the initial high, what keeps us fired up? Who keeps you excited and committed to your game? Who reminds you of your passion? They are your cheerleaders.
My first cheerleading gig was as a Senior at Richwoods High School. I am pictured in the second row from the bottom on the right. Priceless.
Think about who are your cheerleaders. The first ones were your family. They cheered you on as you took your first step, so you would take the second and the third. They yelled, “Good job!” when you grasped your bottle and brought it to your mouth. And your first Lego tower brought wild applause.
These days, many of us hire professional cheerleaders. They are called coaches. What does it mean to be a coach? According to Google:
In coaching, fundamentally, the coach is helping the individual to improve their own performance: in other words, helping them to learn. Good coaches believe that the individual always has the answer to their own problems but understands that they may need help to find the answer.
We pay for these people. How do we choose them? Here are some standards.
Do they:
1. Have training and expertise and credentials to back them up?
2. Have years of experience cheerleading people?
3. Use their skills and expertise to help you market yourself and keep you accountable?
4. Recognize your fears and self-imposed limitations?
5. Help you break through to the space of confidence?
6. Have a high level of commitment, professionalism and devotion to your mission?
You also have a network of colleagues and friends and coworkers who cheer for you. They connect with you on a “I want you to make it – I’m here for you” level. They are the people you root for, too! These people can be mentors who relate to you on a “been there, done that” basis.
One of my teams is NAWBO: National Association of Women Business Owners. Since 1985, when I was the mentee, they have cheered me on and advised me to go to the next level in my business. It was a NAWBO sister who said the 7 words that changed my life. We had just written her acceptance speech for a big award. She said, “I would have paid you for this.” She cheered me on to begin the process of “speaker to speech coach.” Now I’m a full-time speaker coach, passing on my wisdom.
I’ve been a cheerleader all my life – for managers and employees, TED Talkers and entrepreneurs. I would love to be your cheerleader and help you craft your perfect marketing pitch. Please call me for a 30-minute complimentary clarity call to see if we are a match.