Fit for Life: Circle or Cage?

Fit for Life: Circle or Cage?

Do you have a circle of positive influence around you, or are your surroundings so negative that you feel like you are in a cage? One of my coaches came up with this analogy in his tip of the week, so I decided to run with it a bit further.

 

Let me break this down a little more.

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Are the people you surround yourself with rooting for you to be better, to grow, to achieve more, or are they holding you back, patronizing you, and filling your head with a negative, scarcity mindset?

 

Or even worse, when you talk to them, is everything a “woe is me topic”, or everything is wrong with the world and everyone’s out to get me situation? If so, that negative energy morphs itself into your subconscious mind and brings you down with them. They are what I call “energy vampires”.

 

I came to the realization that I am doing better than I think, yet not as good as I want to.

 

The reason I think this way is because my circle of influence contains some of the best fitness and marketing gurus in the world. I regularly associate with top Fit Body owners and belong to mastermind groups run by the top names in the fitness industry.

 

I set standards high for myself, and rate myself amongst the top in the business, not the bottom. Don’t mistake this as comparison syndrome because comparison it the thief of joy. I just use other successful people as the benchmark for success and try to learn and emulate they’re victories and avoid their mistakes.

 

That’s why I feel like I am not as good as I want to be, or that I can be because I see first-hand how being at the top looks. I don’t feel content just “doing better” than the competition, or the “average gym”. I am on a mission to not only be the best within my ability but maintain high standards of quality that keep getting better with time.

 

We need to keep setting our standards high, but the mistake I often make is not giving myself enough credit. I am a little hypocritical in this area because I always tell my members to count the wins regardless of how small or big, and often forget to follow this advice.

 

When I talk to someone in my circle, give THEM advice, and get a “thank you, that was helpful” response, that’s when I feel like a win was achieved. When a member loses weight and achieves their goal, that’s another win. The fact that I have survived 7 years in the industry as a gym owner, and we keep growing is a win also, however sometimes I fail to acknowledge the victories because I know there is still a lot of room to grow, and my sights are always set higher.

 

I am telling you this for several reasons. 1. Don’t make the mistake I often make and not count the wins, even the small ones. And 2. To set your standards so high that you never get complacent and stop trying to get better.

 

Be grateful, but never satisfied. Meaning: Count the wins and show gratitude but never be satisfied. I associate satisfaction with complacency and thinking average. Complacency will kill your momentum, and who wants to be average?

 

Do you want to eat at an average restaurant? Do you want to send your kids to average schools? Do you want to see an average movie? Do you want to go on an average vacation? Need I say more?

 

It’s your environment and who you surround yourself with that not only dictates your mindset, but your outcome, therefore you need to be very selective with who and what you surround yourself with.  

 

Here are 3 things you can implement immediately to put yourself in a favorable position to succeed in every area of life.

1. Surround yourself with smart motivated people that offer you support and recognition for your good deeds. Avoid, or limit exposure to toxic negative people that suck your energy.

2. Show gratitude and count the wins. Big and small, it’s good to step back and acknowledge success.

3. Set high standards. Never lower yourself to the level of your competition, always strive to be better and emulate successful people. Success leaves clues.

 

If you surround yourself with negative, underachieving people you are not in a circle you are in a cage.

Expand your circle of friends to people that motivate you encourage you and support your goals and dreams and you will see yourself rise to the level of greatness

 

Committed to your success,

Matt