You’ve Changed …

I saw this picture posted by my friend and fellow health coach Jason Christoff yesterday accompanied by the quote …

“The hardest thing you’ll ever do in your life is to develop the courage to become more, different or better than the people who surround you.”

Straight away I smiled to myself because it was the exact message I’d been talking about with others over the past few days.

The picture rings very true and having experienced this challenge myself, I know first hand how hard it can be to change, develop and grow in your current environment.

The hardest part isn’t that you don’t know who you could and should become, it’s becoming that person whilst dealing with the blowback from the people closest to you that want you to the person you used to be.

When you start to hold different opinions, live life outside the box, surround yourself with others who are on the same journey as you, and ultimately strive to become and be more, it can be very challenging for those who have known you the longest to deal with all these changes.

Firstly, because they can feel like they are losing you, someone they hold close, love, trust and can count on.

And secondly, because you challenging the status quo, taking risks, and aiming for more, holds a mirror up to themselves in their own life, and a lot of people don’t like what they see staring back at them.

This doesn’t apply to everyone, of course, but for many people, it can show them how much of a small game they are playing.

When this happens a crab mentality often ensues.

For those of you not familiar with the crab mentality I’ll explain…

Crab mentality, also known as crabs in a bucket (also barrel, basket, or pot) mentality, is a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you”.

The metaphor refers to a pattern of behaviour noted in crabs when they are trapped in a bucket. While any one crab could easily escape, its efforts will be undermined by others, ensuring the group’s collective demise.

Sound familiar? I’m sure it does. You have probably faced this particular scenario more than once.

However, instead of letting these situations stifle you, you can use these barbs as fuel to drive you.

As you become consciously aware of what is happening when these times arise, you will start to smile to yourself internally. You will start to see every mocking word, jealous action and sarcastic comment as a sign you are on the right path, and that you are becoming the person you are meant to be.

At the end of the day, you know deep inside you what you truly want, and who you want to be, and the only person that can stop you from reaching your goals is you.

So…

Listen to your gut. Trust your instincts. Follow your heart.

Do this and you will be walking in the right direction, and you will be following the path that the universe has set out for you, that allows you to fulfil your highest potential so you can have the biggest impact on the world that you possibly can.

The criticism, negative comments and naysayers are all par for the course.

After all, overcoming seemingly impossible hurdles is all part of the hero’s journey.

And if we are being honest with ourselves, it’s the challenges that make things worthwhile.

Onwards & Upwards

Ryan

P.S. If you have been struggling with your own health issues and would like to see if or how we could help you then click the link here, fill out the form and Ryan or one of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.