Your personal cheer squad: How to build a raging fan club
It is other people who will support you, help you network, advance your career and ensure you reach your potential. So assemble your raging fan club now.
What if the secret to creating and living your most successful life was in the hands of other people? You’d have to be prepared to do the work, of course, but the game changer might just be who you know.
Look past those expensive self-development programs for a moment. Stop worrying about where to start, if you’ve been feeling stuck. I’m telling you it is other people who could change everything.
Perhaps you’ve been highly committed but still haven’t gotten ‘there.’ If you’ve been waiting for the right the time or for things to come together, the ‘raging fan club’ strategy could be for you.
Your raging fan club will make all the difference
If you are considering starting a new business or working up to a promotion, the people advocating for you could make all the difference.
Perhaps you have a big adventure you want to plan or maybe it’s time to go back and do some study. Is this the time to run that marathon or change careers? Your health, relationships, career, financial aspirations and goals will have accelerated growth because of your raging fan club.
It won’t always be fun, but you won’t be sitting on your veranda at 80 years of age wondering what could have been.
If you are worrying it is indulgent or overly self-focused to expect a large group of supporters to be your own personal cheer squad, then stop right there. Investing in you is the most important investment you will ever make. And I suggest you nominate yourself as a raging fan for someone else so you are making a difference for someone else, too.
In fact, I have even heard of raging fan club dinners.
Building your raging fan club
It’s time to think strategically about the people around you. As a global success coach, I am yet to meet anyone who really was an overnight success, and I have never met anyone who achieved success all by themselves.
You may have heard people talk about having a tribe, a personal cheer squad or a mentor. Successful people surround themselves with successful people. More importantly, they surround themselves with individuals who want them to be the very best version of themselves and believe they have potential beyond all measure.
It’s time to identify and build your very own personal raging fan club. I’m not talking about your family and friends, but other people who have agreed to support you and advocate for your success. You’ve shown them your plan and vision. You have had a meaningful conversation with them about the specific role they play, and together, you have agreed on outcomes and timeframes. They are people who will challenge you and celebrate you.
You don’t need one raging fan, you need enough fans to form a club! They don’t need to know each other, but they do need to collectively believe in you.
Imagine what is possible if you ever got them all in a room to robustly discuss the future of you.
Who should be in your raging fan club?
1. Truthteller
This person will say out loud what others may not be prepared to say. They will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly about how you are doing, the impact you are having on others and what they are observing.
2. Visionary genius
This is where you get to dream. Your visionary genius will prod you to plan, play and think bigger than you are now. They will encourage your ambition and innovative thoughts. They will be ridiculously optimistic about what is possible for you.
3. Director of reality
Well, someone has to do it. This is your voice of reason. They are likely to raise all the things you know you should think about and consider, but don’t want to.
4. Party animal
This is critical. Celebrating progress and everything you are doing well must be recognised. This is where you get your energy and momentum. Our natural inclination is to focus on what we aren’t doing well. This fan will always remind you about your strengths.
5. Promoter
We often find it hard to promote ourselves or our ideas. Your promoter fan is your ‘out-loud’ advocate. This person is your living and breathing testimonial. They will tell everyone how awesome you are and seek out other people who can experience you and sell you.
6. The expert
They’ve been there and done that. They have a world of wisdom, experience and stories to share. They know the stuff you don’t but should. Their mistakes are learning lessons in your pocket.
7. Accountability partner
It was so easy to be motivated when you started out, but now you are tired, or finding it hard. Here is where you are reminded of your commitment and timeframes. Your accountability partner fan will review your progress and support you in working through next steps that are aligned with your goals. They will ensure you keep going.
Step into the adventure and consciously write the next chapter in your story by inviting others to support you. The future is calling and there are people waiting for you to ask them to be in your raging fab club.
This is not the time to play small. You will never have today again. There will be no more waiting, thinking and procrastinating. Who are you going to call first?
NOW READ: “Run and then rest”: Four strategies for getting more done in less time
