The Ripple Effect

Today, I want to share something positive.  Not only because everyone has been so down in the slumps lately, but because I have been happy with the changes I have been seeing within myself.  Dare I say….. I am actually feeling proud of myself. I am normally so used to myself being anxious or upset, screwing something up, and then spiraling downward out of control and feeling nothing but chaos around me.  Lately I have been feeling in control and finally feel like I can use what I have learned to help others.    

I have learned that the environment that surrounds you can have a huge impact on your life and has the power to change you as a person. How did I learn this?  I had this old job that I absolutely hated. I am talking like not wanting to get out of bed everyday to go, feeling nauseous as I walked up to the employee entrance, was crabby and didn’t give a crap about the work I was doing, never had anything positive to say, caused me unnecessary stress, kind of hate.  I tried to stay positive and give myself pep talks, but those only lasted so long. I was miserable which made me not always the easiest person to be around or talk to. A few months ago I had an injury that took me out of work for a few months. Within this time I actually started a new job, I feel I grew up a lot in the maturity aspect, and learned a whole lot about myself and my true character.

So here is what I found when I returned to the old job I hated (recap of hatred above).  The job itself was not the problem.  I waltzed in and did what I knew how to do best.  I kept positive vibes, not forcefully, but because I was genuinely happy, and things were fine.  What wasn’t fine? The environment that I was in. I was quick to notice the people around me (co-workers mostly) were all in a foul mood.  They complained about everything possible, they talked bad towards people, they tried to talk to me in a condescending tone, they gossiped, and overall they made me go from calm, cool, collected to an anxious mess in about 10minutes.  Then the lightbulb moment happened!! Holy crap, I used to be one of these people just a few months ago. I was part of this environment and was one of these people who complained as soon as I walked in the doors, and participated in the gossip, and accepted their condescending tone towards me, etc.  No wonder I was miserable, who wouldn’t be working like that all the time? At the time I didn’t realize it because, well, I was so caught up in everything and I didn’t take the time to dig deep and look at the root of my unhappiness.

So here is what I have learned.  Before all of my mindset coaching, and all of my breakthroughs, self discoveries, my injury, this blog, I was always so scared and unsure of sharing things with others.  I didn’t think I had anything of worth to help others, because I felt like I was a hot mess and what value could that possibly bring? I liked my comfort zone and I was indeed snuggled up there with a warm blanket and a dozen pillows.  Guess what? As you get through things in life it gives you enough experience to maybe help others through the same struggle. As far as the comfort zone thing goes…. I have learned that comfort zones get you absolutely nowhere. Every time I step out of the zone it definitely is hard and I feel like a failure, but then I notice I start to grow as a person in different ways.  I like to share my personal experiences now, and muster up the confidence to do things I normally wouldn’t, and by doing that I have learned it actually makes an impact on those around me. THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND YOU HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE YOU AS A PERSON.

It is like the ripple effect.  Now, for my old job that I used to hate, now that I know the problem I can try to be the first drop of water that starts a ripple.  I can be the one to minimize the gossip by not participating. I can be the person to change the subject when people are complaining to some positives.  I can be the person to stop the condescending tones when I notice it, because I know I didn’t like being talked to that way. I may not be able to change people, but I can do my best to change the environment around me, because it makes a huge difference on a person’s mood and self esteem too. So here is my advice to you.  Be the first drop of water to start a ripple in the pond, then the lake, and who knows maybe the ocean? Step out of your comfort zone and take a picture in your sports bra to show other women that they can be brave and not be self conscious about their bodies. Encourage a friend to step out of their comfort zone and reach for what seems like an impossible dream, they will never know unless they try.  Share experiences with others whether it be happy or depressing because you never know who it will reach out and touch. Also, let me be the one to say, (my coach says this all the time) You don’t have to be in a perfect headspace or be doing perfect in life to help someone. A lot of the time people need help when they are in the same cold dark corner as you, not when they are feeling great and on top of the world.  So think about that.

As humans we all go through a lot of the same things, but no one is willing to step up and be the first to say it is happening to them.  We all need help sometimes, so be the first drop of water and see how the environment around you can change!