Circle of Trust

For my COT today, I want to start with a quote “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”

I was reflecting the other day on why people don’t step up to Q more.  I thought to myself, is it because they are afraid?  Afraid of what other people will think?  Afraid of failure? Afraid of the unknown?  Yeah, I get that.  I was there at first.   But pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones helps us to grow and become stronger physically, emotionally and mentally.  I remember my first Q.  It was a tabata and I f’d up the cadence during warm-o-rama and Mary.  We didn’t run because I fell and sprained my ankle a few days before at a bootcamp.  It was kind of a $hitshow.  I was this fat overweight guy, deaf, couldn’t run and didn’t say much.  I could have easily said no but I signed up to Q again a few weeks later.  I went from posting 1 time a week to 2 then to 3 and Q’ing every 2-3 weeks.    After a few months, up to Qing once a week and posting 4 days a week.  Up to the last 6 months of posting 5-7 times a week and Q-ing twice a week.  Tell you what though, I still get some butterflies sometimes.  The fear never goes away, I’ve learned how to control it and master it.  This is in all aspects of our lives.  Not just in our fitness or leading a workout but in any area of our life where our fears hold us back.  My acceleration over the past year and a half has encompassed my whole life.  I’ve taken control of my personal life.  Fears of being alone, fear related to self-doubt, fear of acceptance for who I f_cking am and fear to stand up for myself.  I’ve spilled this mindset into my professional life.  Stop being afraid of the chance of not succeeding at a type of project that I haven’t worked on before, stop being scared to take out potential clients and meeting new ones, stop being afraid to take on more responsibility because I have never had that level of responsibility.  I’ve said hell yeah and stopped saying no or I can’t.  Now I say “Yes and” and welcome a challenge.  These areas of my life are accelerating.  I’m not held back by my fears.  I’m learning how to master the fears.

My challenge to you all today is to reflect on what fears do you have in the various areas of your life.  Is it a poor relationship with your M and you’ve been afraid to try and work it out with her?  Is it at work and you are afraid to try to take on more responsibility or try something different?  Is it out here and you might have only Q’d once or twice?  That last one is fairly easy to work on.  Just sign up.  Just do it and reach out for help if you need it.  There are some great f’ing guys out here.   We are stronger together.  We have each others backs.  I know from experience.  Hell, there are several of my Crossroads brothers out here that have helped me during my rough times more than they know.  Life is short.  Don’t wait – the ability to make change is inside you.  You are stronger than you can imagine.

Aye?

F3 is not a religious organization but we will end in a prayer.  You’re welcome to join or take a minute to connect with your sky Q.  Are there an intentions we can acknowledge?