Who is your biggest cheerleader?
Almost 23 years ago, I met my biggest cheerleader while sitting on the beach in Miami. He has remained my biggest cheerleader since. My husband, Brad, has the amazing ability to see in me that which I cannot see and to believe in me when I cannot. According to Stacey Flowers in her TEDx talk, “The Five People You Need to Be Happy,” one of the key people you need to have on your championship-winning team is your Cheerleader. She defines that person as, “The energetic and inspiring person who has the ability to believe in you when you are not able to believe in yourself.”
For years, I would tell Brad what I wanted to do for work was go out on my own to focus on coaching and consulting. But my love for my clients, my team, and my company held me back, or at least that is what I told myself. I also think not-so-far beneath the surface was a fear that I would fail, and I didn’t like that idea at all. As a hyper achiever I could not imagine letting my family down by going out on my own and then not making it; to me that would be like a Halloween horror flick (cue the spooky music).
As we discussed this option for seven long years, his support was unwavering. He always said to me, “Rebecca, you can continue on the path you are on and be okay, or you can live the life you are dreaming of. I will support you either way.” Sometimes out of the blue he would walk up to me and say, “Hey, I was thinking, why don’t you start your own company? I know you can do it.”
Every time I would begin to move toward this option, I would find so many reasons not to do it. As I brought up each one in protest, he would look at me with deep understanding in his eyes, hold my hand, and say, “Honey, you can do this.” When I finally realized it was time, he patiently waited for me to talk to everyone else on my championship-winning team plus a few external advisors we brought in. He even worked with our sons, Zachary and Joshua, to ensure they were supportive as well. It was like having my own cheer squad. And, the day I said goodbye to my beloved company and team, he, Zach, and Josh rallied a boatload of friends and family, to support and cheer for me all the way to the finish line. And the great part, they still cheer me on today, so that when I have moments of self-doubt creep in, I keep going because we all need cheerleaders throughout the entire game, not just the pregame or first quarter.
We all need a cheerleader in our life who believes in us and cheers us on as we move through our journey. Who is your biggest cheerleader? Have you stopped to thank them for their unwavering support? If you don’t have one, what can you do to find one?
For more on the five people you need when choosing your championship-winning team, please read my blog here. If you would like to talk about your team, please reach out to me.
