SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Changing Your Life? Three Types of People Will Show Up

You will be amazed at the chain reaction

In the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy had to travel the Yellow Brick Road to achieve her ultimate goal of getting home.

That road was filled with ups and downs, but most importantly, her journey attracted key figures that ultimately played a huge part in fulfilling her vision.

If you’re in the midst of changing your life, you too are on a journey. Here are three types of people that will show up along the way. They will impact your path significantly.

1. The Lifters

A very successful man once told me that there are two types of people: Lifters and Leaners. The Lifters are positive and “lift us up” through encouragement and acknowledgment of our good qualities or accomplishments. Leaners just lean on us and tear us down.

Lifters will show up as soon as you develop a bit of consistency towards changing your life. They will make simple comments that make you feel a hundred feet tall. Sometimes, they will go even further in congratulating you on your progress or commitment.

I began an exercise regimen in September 2020 by starting with three days per week. After three weeks, I increased my workouts to five per week. Within the past couple of weeks, the Lifters have spoken to me more than ever.

“You are dedicated,” a woman said to me as we were walking into the gym. She has clearly seen me countless times showing up, which prompted her comment. At that point, I had been consistently exercising for 22 consecutive weeks.

“You may as well just get a bed here,” another woman joked with me a few days ago. I was inside the gym when we crossed paths. She concluded with, “you’re doing great.”

I can guarantee that the more consistent you are on your life-changing journey, you will attract your fair share of Lifters.

2. The Challengers

Most of us only like hearing good things about ourselves. Positivity is great, but there are many times that we need people to be brutally honest. That’s where the Challengers come into play.

They will show up as we are making progress towards changing our lives. They will say uncomfortable truths and push us in ways that quite frankly, suck.

Challengers are possibly the most important of the people who show up as we are growing. Having things sugar-coated helps no one, and that’s the benefit of “tough love.”

Within the past month, I have hired two personal trainers — but I refer to them as professional fitness coaches. Their challenges are both psychological and physical, and I hate it all.

Because I’m built more like a planet than a person, the grueling training sessions have to be slower for the time being. But to me, they feel like bone-crushing nightmares that leave me panting like a dog in heat.

They never feel sorry for me. In fact, they challenge me more…and I feel nearly disabled for days afterward.

The key thing to remember is that the Challengers are very necessary. They won’t always be fitness coaches, they could be a close friend, a business executive, a significant other — anyone.

The easiest way to recognize Challengers is when they call us on our bullshit or excuses. Yes, that sucks at that moment, but it’s what we need long-term.

They will not allow us to be mediocre either. Face it, we are not going to push ourselves the way they will.

3. The Inspired

Anytime we show seriousness or focus on positive change, other people will take notice. Some of them will be inspired, and a small percentage of them will start on their own life-changing journey.

The Inspired are the most gratifying people that will show up as you’re changing. It proves that what we are trying to achieve is far greater than ourselves, which is a damn good feeling.

In the early weeks of my daily exercise journey, one of the directors of the gym told me that I inspired her. She saw how committed I had become after just a few weeks and got back on track with her healthy eating.

I was blown away because she had already lost a huge amount of weight during the past couple of years. For a super-sized teddy bear such as myself to inspire her was music to my ears.

One of my cousins was also inspired. He’s a very fit guy and has never had weight issues like me. He’s also been an athlete for most of his life and is quite active.

Despite all that, he told me months ago that I was “already doing what [he wanted] to do,” which was to work out five days per week. He’s been doing that religiously ever since.

You will most definitely inspire people with your dedication and consistency. They will come from directions that will sometimes surprise you, and you’ll soon realize that your journey is far bigger than you.

Finally

There are many other examples from my journey that I could give of these three types of people showing up. But I want you to focus on your path down The Yellow Brick Road and who you are attracting into your world.

It just might challenge you to aim for greater heights.