Who is Cheering You On?
Photo by Rinke Dohmen on Unsplash
Some people seem to move forward continually, appearing to need no help from outside forces. The rest of us, and I would guess that number is in the majority, need encouragement to keep us going.
So I ask you, dear reader, who is cheering you on?
When it comes to fitness, I find I am more successful if I have an exercise buddy. The competitive part of me wants to keep up or excel; it also helps me to hear a “You can do it!” or a “That-a-girl!”
You might find encouragement from the words of someone you have never met. Possibly a writer of a favorite book has just the right words to inspire you - like Lin-Manuel Miranda in “Gmorning, Gnight!” or Anna Quindlan in “Write for Your Life.”
People with similar interests can be invaluable. I participate in more than one writing group. It’s nice being able to meet in-person locally; I also participate in some online groups with varied goals. I just joined a daily challenge for National Poetry Month, to write a poem a day, with feedback from a leader and other participants. Could I do that on my own? Possibly. Would I stick with it for a month without accountability? Knowing myself, I doubt it!
The structure of a class or program can help you keep moving forward. Something that holds you accountable to come back every day, week, or month can work wonders. The success of certain language learning apps attests to the benefit of structure.
Whether you are stepping out in a new creative venture, facing a cancer journey, or just working through everyday life, don’t go it alone! It may be difficult to step out of your comfort zone to find your people, but the benefits far outweigh any discomfort.
Dear readers, please share in the comment section below who is cheering you on!