Going out on a L.I.M.B.

It is Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and this week has already presented itself as the perfect storm.  First I won tickets to the showing of Hood To Coast last night.  This Saturday is the kick-off meeting for Marathon Makeover.  Potential sponsors have been contacting me as well as potential participants.  I have exchanged emails with a runner that I respect so much and thrilled to have had the ability and opportunity to speak with that person on a different level.  I have been asked to give a presentation on nutrition and exercise and the relationship I have with food.

This got me to thinking about these instances and more.  What did all of these situations have in common.  How did I fit into each of these scenarios?

I came to the conclusion last night while watching Bob on the Biggest Loser train the BL Ranch team on his own and listened to his words.  It all fell into place.  I have gone out on a L.I.M.B. and that is why each of these things has occurred.  If everybody would go out on a L.I.M.B. then the success each person has would become contagious.

What does L.I.M.B. stand for you are asking yourself?  It is simple and a mantra I will live by from here on out.

L = Lead (in others)
I = Inspire (others)
M = Motivate (others)
B = Believe (in others)

As you read that you notice that none of them is in reference to yourself and why is that?  Well if I lead you to reach accomplishments you never thought of getting to, then you will inspire others to do the same.  When that person struggles you will motivate them to reach that goal and show that you believe in them.

As these things are taking place all around us we will find it in ourselves to reach higher levels of accomplishments.  We will then remove the barriers that are self-imposed.  Nobody stops you from reaching for the stars, you just don't believe you can stretch that far.  It is a simple way of paying it forward.

How can you start?  Ask yourself what you are good at and start there.  Are you good at building websites?  Sign up to be a tutor at a local YMCA to teach others to be better.  You will inspire one, two an entire classroom of individuals to create better web pages and they will motivate each other with what they learn.  Of course there will be stumbles along the path, but show them that you believe they can do what they want and they will move forward.

I have a passion. That passion is to help others be better than they think they can be.  Come Saturday I will meet a number of people looking for direction.  I will lead them down the path of wellness using the marathon as a vehicle.  I will inspire them with my story of how I got to Mile 1, then I will motivate them to go to Mile 2 and show that I believe in them by waiting for them until they reach Mile 2.  At that point they will have the confidence to reach Mile 3.   They will then be an inspiration to their family and friends that all is accomplishable and can't is a four letter word never to be spoken again.

Can you got out on a L.I.M.B. today?

Tell me your story about how you led, inspired, motivated and believed in somebody or something.