Sphere of Influence: 4 Things You Need To Know

1. Be Intentional With Your Sphere

Do your core values align with the five people closest to you?

Do the five people closest to you know your goals — personal and professional? Do they support your progress towards your goals? 

If you set a goal to exercise three times per week, would your significant other encourage you to get moving or give you a hard time for taking time away from them? 

If you set a goal to limit drinking, would your circle of influence encourage you to go to happy hour with them or find another activity like grabbing a cup of coffee? 

To be successful long-term, you need to be intentional with the people you surround yourself with. You need people who will support your progress towards your goals. 

2. Separate Yourself From Negativity

Misery loves company. When you surround yourself with negative people, it’s easy to see the negative. 

Controversially, if you surround yourself with positive people, you will also see more positive. 

What topics do you discuss with your circle? Are you lifting people up or talking about people behind their backs? Are you encouraging each other or breaking each other down?

In a season of chaos and uncertainty, like this pandemic, it is easy to get frustrated. You must be intentional with your positivity. Find things to be grateful for. Part of your daily routine should be finding something that you are grateful for. Positivity breeds positivity. 

I end my workday with writing down one thing that I am grateful for. As a family, we are intentional about finding bright spots. Every day at dinner, we ask the kids, “What was the best part of your day?” 

This practice works in all aspects of your life– personal, professional, and spiritual. 

3. Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

I remember the first time stepping into a CrossFit gym over ten years ago. One of my best friends was there to greet me. She had been begging me to join her for a workout. The truth is, I was scared. I am {very} competitive by nature and hate not being good at things. I had never picked up a barbell before. I had no clue what I was doing.

From the outside looking in, it felt like a cult. But I had met some of her friends from the gym, and they were all nice. 

Over the past ten years, CrossFit has changed my life forever. That first step was the scariest, but I found my purpose because of that first step. 

When we opened Healthy Steps Nutrition, I never wanted people to feel scared or intimidated by their first class. We start all new people with four personal training sessions to ensure they feel comfortable before joining a class. 

I often hear CrossFit referred to as a cult. The CrossFit community is not a cult. They are people who care about their health and taking care of their bodies to become the best versions of themselves. 

Maybe CrossFit is not for you. No problem. Try something new. Set outside of your comfort zone, that is where real growth happens!

4. Set Boundaries

Maybe you have someone in your circle that is not the best influence on you, but you can’t separate yourself. Make sure you are intentional spending time with the people who are a positive influence on you. 

This sometimes happens with nutrition clients. A significant other is not on board with changing their diet and eating healthy. It often leads to frustration because a client is tempted with things that do not support their goals. 

When this happens, we recommend sitting down with that person and explaining the WHY behind your goal. WHY is it important for you to start eating healthier? WHY do you want to make exercise a part of your daily routine? How will this impact them if you are successful? 

For most people, regular exercise is a form of stress management. The release of endorphins makes people feel better and be in a better mood. If you are exercising regularly, you are less stressed and in a better mood, which means you will be happier and a more delightful person to live with.