Monday Morning Boost: Waking Up A Giant!
“An incredible perspective on what power and influence a single person can have on your life. So many gems in this conversation.”
This is how Nick Smith and Ryan Morris introduced the latest episode of their show, “Wake Up With Giants TV.” It was my honor to be their guest Sunday morning as we explored the impact a single person and a single story can have on your life.
In the episodes, I share a few stories from my life including how a carnival worker and a high school football player changed my life. I invite you to enjoy the story by clicking the image below.
Who are your spending time with?
While it’s not always as simple as the Jim Rohn quote, “You’re the average of the five people spend the most time with.” Nor as prophetic as “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” derivative.
In some ways it’s actually more complex.
Research has shown it’s not just the five people you spend the most time, but it’s also the five people they spend the most time with. And so on.
David Burkis highlights an extensive study on this impact connected with obesity.
With “data spanning over three decades, they were able to show a real cause-and-effect relationship between individual friends (and friends of friends) and weight gains. While the researchers looked for a variety of explanations, the most likely one appears to be norms. If your friend is obese or a friend of a friend is obese, that changes your perception of what is an acceptable body size and your behavior changes accordingly.”
Similar results were found with smoking rates.
And happiness.
The researchers found that “happy friends make you happier — no surprise there. But if your friend of a friend of a friend is happy with their life, then you have a 6 percent greater likelihood of being happy yourself. Now six percent might not seem like much, but consider that other studies suggest that if I gave you a $10,000 raise, that would only trigger about a 2 percent increase in your happiness.”
If you want to change your life, change the collective norm around you. If you want to be a giant, surround yourself with giants.
Such is what I intentionally strive to do and today is a perfect example. Nearly two years ago I joined the National Speakers Association to learn how to better use my voice to empower myself and others to discover and create our own greatness.
While the training through NSA has been incredible, and effective, it’s the people who make a difference. I am surrounded by a network of giants who in turn surround themselves with giants. A few of those who have been the most influential include Max Brown, Ty Bennett, Kris Barney, Clint Pulver, Jodi Brown, Mark Eaton, Jason Hewlett, Rob Ferre, Cheryl Knowlton, and Chad Hymas whose Royal Creek Ranch in Rush Valley is where we are gathered. My friends, I love you each.
I share a few connected thoughts in the video above in the spirit of Sunday Reflections, something I normally share with Elisa by my side. Hope you enjoy.
Elisa is my greatest influence on becoming and being a GIANT. I’m grateful to each of you who find value in my voice, but none of that matters if my voice fails to connect with her and our children. It’s taking me a long while to really get this concept locked in, and I’m still figuring it out. Maybe this little poem I wrote for her will also connect with you.
I AM HER GIANT
By Les Patterson
To many a giant I may seem
A friend a blessing a lift
But if to my angel I am not
Then it matters not my gift
I can encourage others
Who feel down and out
Be a voice of cheer
Give them a huge shout
I’m blessed to have a voice
To share my journey and story
Many are often very grateful
I’m sometimes showered with glory
To those who see my greatness
I am deeply in your debt
To she who always sees me as a Giant
I love you for being my advocate
I love you beautiful!
Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share!
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to create your GIANT.
PERSONAL PROMISE PROCLAMATION
The Story You Most Consistently Create Will be The Story To Most Consistently Come True In Your Life. Intentionally Create A Beautiful, Powerful, Wonderful Story!
