Most People Cheer for Those on the Podium, Praise This Instead
These are the people you should praise
Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
— Oscar Wilde
Most people recognize winners when they see them on the podium. Or with the gold medal around their neck. Or when the the news notices. Or newspapers. Or Twitter.
It is not hard to recognize winners after the victory. Everyone knows who they are.
And most people love to congratulate the winners. The victors. The champions.
But there is something that is difficult that most people will never do. It is not that it is impossible. It is just that so few people even know how to do this.
But if you know how to look for this, you can attract nearly anyone and anything.
And it is completely within your control. You can look for this everywhere and with every person you meet.
And if you follow through, and actually do it, you will create something magical.
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Flip the Script
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
— Anne Frank
Rarely does a person receive recognition before the limelight hits. Most often, winners are not recognized until they actually win.
But why is that? Why don’t we recognize people when they are doing the right things, instead of waiting for the results to hit?
It is not like certain people instantly become successful the moment that victory occurs.
As many people have pointed out, any victory is the result of a process.
But most people don’t treat success that way. We only praise the victors — the people that everyone else recognizes as a champion.
Rare is the person who praises direction, and not the destination.
I want to change this. Will you help?
I am going to start recognizing people going in the right direction more, even if they are not yet at their ultimate destination.
The direction you are headed in is more important than your speed.
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The Power of Direction
“Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.”
— Victor Kiam
Why do I feel compelled to do this?
Because going in the right direction is hard.
Because if you are going in the right direction, it doesn’t take much to pick up speed.
Because sometimes I have felt unsure if I was even going in the right direction.
Because looking back, I wished someone would have told me that I was going in the right direction.
Because if you are going at a high speed but in the wrong direction, you have to slow down a lot to start moving in the right direction.
Because I previously have been going in the right direction to get what I wanted, but then changed — because I did not know better.
Because if you are going fast but in the wrong direction, it takes a long time to turn around.
I want to help recognize people who are doing the right things but have not yet had the victory that convinces them they are doing the right things.
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Stop Being Impressed With Speed
“For my part, I rather distrust men or concerns that rise up with the speed of rockets. Sudden rises are sometimes followed by equally sudden falls. I have most faith in the individual or enterprise that advances step by step. A mushroom can spring up in a day; an oak takes 50 years or more to reach maturity. Mushrooms don’t last; oaks do. The real cause for an enormous number of business failures is premature over-expansion, attempting to gallop before learning to creep. Sudden successes often invite sudden reverses.”
— B.C. Forbes
I used to work with someone who claimed to do everything “fast.”
He tried to eat fast, walk fast, talk fast, work fast — everything. He took pills or supplements to perform faster. There was always a faster way. He was always looking for a shortcut.
Sadly, his desire for shortcuts led to a tragic situation, where he made some terrible choices. He hurt many people.
Speed can be powerful. But it can also be dangerous.
If you are going in the wrong direction, going fast will accelerate your demise.
An arrow may start just 1 degree off target. But that 1 degree will lead to massively missing the mark if it is not corrected.
Stop being impressed with speed.
Be impressed with someone going in the right direction.
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People Need Encouragement the Most When They Are Praised the Least
“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
One of the most mentally challenging times of my teenage years was studying for MCAT (the test to get into medical school). I spent three months studying all day, every day.
I burned myself out.
During the process, and at the end especially, I needed someone to help me refill my ability to focus.
I know there are people out there — even reading this right now — who are doing the right things and are not yet seeing the fruits of those labors. Keep going. Don’t stop.
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The First Domino…
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”
— Henry Ford
Here is what I am going to look for:
Good habits
Consistency
Finishing
Courage
Humor
Joy
Selflessness
Enthusiasm
Execution of a vision
Humble confidence
And to start the movement, below is just a small sampling of people that I know are moving in the right direction.
Jerome Vierling is a man after the heart of a city. He had opportunities to leave his hometown of Lansing, Michigan, but he feels called to go into the places that everyone else avoids. He goes into schools, prisons, inner city, anywhere. He has built an incredible team whose sole purpose is to “love the city.” He organizes “Love the City” week where hundreds of people buy groceries, pay for meals, clean parks, and much more. His motto: “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”
Luke Mardigian is a man who has completely transformed himself. He has a passion for achievement. I have been amazed watching him prepare to do a 40+ hour SealFit event — no sleep, just pushing your body to its limits with a small group of people. His year-long training is incredible. It is amazing to see what he has become.
Nichole Mashni has amazed me with her ability to execute better than pretty much anyone I know. When she left her job to raise our four kids, she had to transfer her business execution skills to another area entirely. She is a model of consistency and responsibility.
Ian Elieff has humility that has impressed me. I have seen him ask for advice, and then follow through on what he learned. His selfless attitude is so refreshing.
Michael Thompson has an authenticity that is rare. He truly wants to give and provide value in order to succeed. He reached out to me recently, and I loved connecting. Thank you for following through.
Aram Rasa Taghavi has enthusiasm and energy that is unmatched. Just reading anything he writes will give me a jolt of energy. I am excited for his next 12 months.
Richie Norton has an infectious energy and attitude. His energy is life-giving and I think I could listen to his laugh all day.
Benjamin P. Hardy is a man that impresses more and more as I learn more about him. His writing is good, but his intentions and heartbeat is better. His thinking on transformational relationships is gold and I hope he keeps pushing on that lever.
Adam Mashni is a man who has overcome cancer at a young age. His heart for young people is incredible. He has a joy and enthusiasm that will attract people forever.
Christian Sørensen, Heather Burton, Viviana Rose, Ty Robinson, Cayla Vidmar, Christie Mims, Jayne Stevenson, Ayo Olatoye, Cindy Yantis, Paula Jean Ferri, Jalpan Dave, Robert Klupenspies—are all an incredible group of givers. I am so impressed by the humble spirit and the amazing consistency and desire to grow.
Aaron Schafer is a man who has an incredible ability to discipline himself but also to lead people effectively and with a servant’s heart. I have been so impressed by his consistency but also his ability to guide others who are traveling with him.
Tim Lowe is a man who has been humbled and emerged as a powerful leader in his family, community, and home. He has made incredible changes to his life and I cannot wait to see how he leads in the next five years.
Scott Hayes is a man who has made powerful changes in his own life to become an incredible leader, pastor, friend, and thinker. He is brilliant and should be followed, as his transformation in the last five years has left me speechless.
Richard Shaull is an execution machine. His maturity and responsibility is incredible and only matched for his heart for the people around him.
David Williams has a servant’s heart. His desire to help others and to give has impressed me and has made me think harder about how I can serve those around me better.
Evan Winters is a man who is not afraid to work harder than others in order to achieve more than others will be able to achieve. His work ethic and passion to grow are impressive.
James Mashni is responsible and dependable. He follows through and serves his family and his patients incredibly well.
Jason Mashni is an incredible student and learner. He seeks growth opportunities and carves out time to become better every day.
Andrea Mashni is so creative it amazes me. She applies her creativity to her amazing children and family, and we all get to benefit.
Brandon Ansel is a man who has found his purpose. He is a warrior and a poet — an artist and an entrepreneur. He is a thoughtful man who can execute on a vision while also having a incredible heart for people. I cannot wait to see what he creates next. And I cannot wait to see how he serves next, either.
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Your Turn
“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”
— Oprah Winfrey
Now it is your turn. Start encouraging people going in the right direction. Do not wait for the results to hit to give praise. We all need it.
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Call To Action
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