Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Be Your Own Cheerleader

I was honored to learn that one of my wife's closest friends started reading my BLOG recently. Kathy mentioned that her friend asked how I maintain such a positive outlook and if I really followed all that I suggest here. Kathy said she told her that I am human and I do slip up (sometimes more than I would like) but that she's always there to give me a good smack in the right direction to get me back on track. .

The truth is....I am human and I don't always have the most positive outlook on life. It's hard to have a positive attitude all the time especially living in today's society. We are bombarded with negativity in the media. Society has lost its ability to connect. People are miserable at the jobs they work in. The economy is very rocky and unpredictable for most. Hollywood prefers to give us dark stories rather than the inspirational feel good movies they once did. I could go on and on...but I won't.

Life is negative. It would be easy to pack up the tent and join the bandwagon of negativity and call it a day. I won't. Why? Because if I did, I think the overwhelming sense of nothingness would kill me.

Single individuals can change the world. You right now have the power to affect another person - your kids, your parents, your spouse, your co-workers...a complete stranger. That power can be used for good or bad depending on the outlook you carry with you. In order to have the right outlook you have to be willing to pick yourself up when things look glib. It's in those times that you not only find what drives you but it's how you become the example from which all others learn and follow.

I have learned to stay positive most of the time because I have become my own cheerleader. I realized pretty early on in my entrepreneurial career that no one was going to be waiting for me at the end of a long day or at the conclusion of a big deal to pat me on the back and say, "great job kid!" No one was going to be there to encourage me to try harder when the chips were down. Nobody was going to pick up the ball from where I dropped it and drive it across the goal line for me.

The only person in the end I can honestly count on is me. I have to be my own motivator. I have to be my own coach. I have to be willing to let my heart override my mind when I think the impossible can't happen. I have to be there to pick myself up, dust myself off and cover those scrapes and bruises and push myself back into the game despite the score.

Sure I am lucky to have an amazing support structure with my wife and kids, my parents and the literally hundreds of people who have become Ripplers since I started this thing. However it's me that I am most dependent on. It is me that has to listen 24/7 to the negative thoughts that my brain likes to dish out constantly and overcome them. It is me that is alone in that car driving to that important meeting and my heart is pounding because I am scared of being rejected. It is me that has to pick myself up out of bed and take on the challenge of a new day.

If I can't listen to myself being the loudest cheerleader and motivator of my actions then most assuredly I would never listen to anyone else. I have to take point in all aspects of my life - attitude, motivation, drive, desire, friendliness...and of course all things Ripple if I don't want the negativity of life to invade my very soul.

And so do you.....pick up the pom poms and get to work!

Ripple On!!!

P.S. New 8 Minute Ripple Scheduled for July - Sign up at www.ripplecentral.com

7 comments:

Ann said...

Great advice oh wise one...your timing is excellent. I've been battling more than a few demons in my life. Finally I decided to stop worrying about the news, worrying about what other people were telling me and to just follow my heart and do what I think is right. I know that everything will be fine.

Some amazing things have happened since that change in attitude.

Anonymous said...

Well, what good is a wife if she can't give you a good smack now and then? I'm glad you found a good one!

I have often admired your ability to remain positive, and your blog always helps remind me to try to do the same. Staying positive makes such a difference in life.

Anonymous said...

Awesome post Mr. Ripple. As always.

Michelle Viper

Steve Harper said...

Ann my friend.....how the heck are you? Excellent advice...following your heart. I am glad to hear amazing things are happening for you. There is no doubt you deserve it!!!

Ripple On Ms. A!!!

Steve Harper said...

Terri,

Hey hey now....careful. You have no idea how hard she hits!

Thank you so much for your comment. I always love hearing from you and appreciate the positive vibes from my Northern Friend!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper said...

Michelle,

Awesome comment. Thank you so much!

Ripple On!!!

Anonymous said...

What a pleasant surprise! I can't tell you how surprised I was to read this blog, after all I'm fairly certain that I'm the friend referred to.
Your advise is very poignant and so very timely. Thank's for the lil smack! I'm picking up my pom poms of blue & gray and cheering myself through another day!
Thanks for the ripple...
D