The motivation from those a few steps ahead…

 
I’ve been reflecting on my achievements and successes lately, and I've recognised that one of the common denominators that has been so helpful for me is the people that I have surrounded myself with to encourage, support, motivate, inspire and teach me.  This has been such a powerful part of my success and growth throughout my life, but in particular in the last couple of years.
 
There is always space for me to be inspired by people who are world famous – I read their books, watch their TV shows and am in awe of their success. But sometimes, these people feel too ‘special’. How can *I* be like them? The gap between where I am and where they are is just too big to fathom.
 
People have said to me before that if I want to get better at running, I should go with a partner or a group. But I reckon choosing that partner or group is pretty important! If I go running with an elite group of athletes and feel demoralised as soon as they lap me, that probably isn't going to help me improve! What I need is people that are encouraging and supportive and always just few steps ahead, so I can follow in their footsteps and be motivated to keep up. I don’t want people pulling me backwards either. I want them to be a few steps ahead of me moving at a pace that’s helpful and motivating.
 
I remember saying three years ago, ‘I can’t have a balanced life and be a teacher – it’s not possible.’
 
Two and a half years ago, I was thinking, ‘I can’t leave teaching - what else would I do with my life?‘
 
Two years ago, ‘How can I rebuild my confidence when I feel as low as this?!’
 
Eighteen months ago, I vividly remember saying, ‘I'm not the kind of person that could start my own business – it’s a different kind of person who could do that.’
 
Even a few months ago, I was thinking, ‘I can’t record videos or write blogs.  What do I have to share with the world?!’
 
Of course, I KNEW that people could have balance teaching. I knew people changed career. I knew people recovered from depression. I knew people started businesses. I knew videos and blogs existed. 
 
But I didn’t believe *I* could do those things.
 
Until, I found people that were like me in some way that were doing those things already. These were people who would say, ‘I used to think the same as you six months ago but look at me now!’
 
They were really inspiring AND MOTIVATING because they were those few steps ahead.
 
I’ve now also realised that I’m a few steps ahead of others.
 
I might be a few steps ahead of those teachers who are really struggling to find a healthy balance -  I have developed strategies that I wish I knew a few years ago. I might be a few steps ahead of teachers that are wanting to leave the profession but feel completely stuck.
I might be a few steps ahead of people who want to start a business but they don't know how to go about it.
 
I'm might not be the most ‘experty expert’ in this stuff but I am a few steps ahead.
 
So a personal question from me to you: How might I be a few steps ahead and how could I help you?