You Are the Average of 5

In my last post I shared about the Start Experiment that I have gotten involved with. It has been a challenging couple of weeks filled with people who encourage you, fight with you, and dream with you. My start partner shared this video with me and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Watch this first and then read on.

In Advocare we get a healthy amount of leadership training. It tends to be a lot of forward thinking, dream driven, positive encouragement that serves my personality well. One thing I hear frequently is this.

You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. 

The first time I ever heard that was in a book I was reading. I can't remember who the author was or even what the book was called, but I remember reading that and sitting on that for a while. I was immediately thrown into this brainstorming session of who I spend the most time with and what their influence is on me. 

Now stop there for a minute. We relocated to a town where we knew no one except my cousin a little over a year ago. While our social life has gotten better, I spend most of my "friend time" on the phone. Therefore, the 5 people I spend the most time with currently is usually my co-workers. I am extremely blessed to have one of the best bosses and great co-workers. They are all pretty grounded in their faith, prioritize healthy habits, believe in great marriages, and do very little gossiping. These are all things I can appreciate. 

With that said, outside of work, I tend to be very aware of who I give my time to. If I am the average of the 5 people I spend the most time with, I need those people to be pretty darn awesome! You see, I believe in this theory 100%. Even God says to be careful who you spend your time with. There are energy snappers and energy givers. The 5 closest people to me should probably have some of these priorities:

Christ first

Fiscal responsibility

dream driven

overall positive attitude with the ability to realize not everyday is perfect

Healthy habits

consumed with people rather than things 

Be active

I could go on, but you get the idea. I want one of my 5 to be really awesome at getting and staying debt free so I can be average at that by their teachings. I need someone that knows Christ better than me so they can teach me. I need someone that is even more positive than I am so I can continue to look on the brighter side. I need some one who sprints after their dreams so I will continue to walk in the direction of mine. And through out all of that I just hope that my average self can influence others along the way. 

The 5 people closest to you matter. If they are negative, you will be negative. If they are dream killers, you will kill dreams too or never find the courage to go after your own. Pay attention to who you give your time to. Strive to be someone that people would want in their closest 5. 

And in the word's of Kid President; "You got a heart beat! Do Something! Be Awesome."

Experimenting with Over 2,500 Other Starters

Tomorrow I will begin an experiment with over 2,500 people and it all started with a tweet by Jon Acuff a couple weeks ago. Jon tweeted the link to his blog that stated that he was looking for adventurers for 24 hours. If you wanted in on this adventure, you were to email him with your name, address, and phone number. That was it. He didn't bother sharing what might happen or what risks were involved, but I decided I was in.

Let's stop there.

Back in February I attended Advocare's conference called Success School. It is a two and a half day event that happens twice a year. It includes lots of recognition, big announcements, and leadership training. One of the training's was done by a leader in the company named Jason Pannell. He talked about a lot of things, but there was one thing that he yelled at us with such conviction, it has yet to escape me. In fact, I replay it in my head almost daily. I also believe it was playing loud and clear the day Jon solicited adventurers.

"You are so busy thinking what if I fail? WHAT IF YOU DON'T?!"

I read something tonight in a book titled Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Dr. Brown does a lot of research on one topic that I believe feeds fear regularly, vulnerability. In this book she talked about a time when she was doing research and she asked her subjects to talk about some of their most meaningful relationships or feelings of connection. All of them immediately began talking about the times they felt the least connection or the greatest betrayal. In being asked to talk about this it was easier for every one of them to talk about the lack of relationship or connection.

In thinking about adventure, it is easier to think about all the reasons it might not work, but what if it does?

You see I don't believe this desire for adventure, risk, or punching fear in the face started a couple weeks ago with a tweet by Jon Acuff. I believe it began stirring in my heart in February or before. It has been simmering for quite some time, but now there is someone to help bring it to light. There is more heat to allow it to boil over. So tomorrow I will take one more baby step by accepting an email from Jon that begins this experiment. Next Monday I will begin 24 days of taking tiny baby steps towards something. I don't have a clue what that something is yet, but I know this. My heart has been anxious for quite a while. I have encouragement from 2,500 other people that are starting the path to their own fears dreams. I have what it takes. I am enough.

Sounds like I have all I need.

"No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn't change the truth that I am also brave and worthy."-Dr. Brene Brown

Each time he said, "my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.-2 Corinthians 12:9