You should always change where you sit.
Sounds kind of silly, doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ve heard this advice before. “They” always suggest this as a simple way to change your perspective and see more opportunities. Whether it’s sitting in a class or on a bus, being in the exact same spot every day can limit your point of view.
Let’s face it. Change is hard, and staying in your comfort bubble is easier, even when it comes to simple routines.
Last weekend I had the chance to do the one thing that always makes me nervous. I had the honor of attending a Freedom Founders Mastermind weekend with my friend, David Phelps.
No, it wasn’t attending the mastermind with David Phelps that makes me nervous. It was attending it without having a social buddy by my side.
I’m not gonna lie. I do get some social anxiety when going to a group event by myself.
With 160 people in attendance, I’d call this a decent sized group event. I’ve always had that type of social anxiety, but I’m a pretty good faker. No one would ever guess that walking into a big party all by myself, when I don’t know anyone, is scary for me.
If I have my one buddy, my security blanket, it’s a totally different story.
That first night, I sidled up to the bar because, well, I needed a drink for this! I quickly found the first table in sight with an open spot. That way, I wouldn’t have to stand around plotting which circle I was going to infiltrate and interrupt with my awkward greeting. It worked! I avoided feeling like that odd loner in the corner, and my table mates were lovely and gracious, welcoming me into the conversation.
By the end of the night, I stayed almost 2 hours past my intended bed time.
The next day, I felt a little more confident walking in alone, so I decided to push myself even more: I searched for a new table!
I chose a seat on the opposite side of the room and couldn’t help but notice my original table mates were sitting in the exact same spot! Yes, I teased them about it and then proceeded to meet more new friends.
It happened again on the third day, when I, yet again, chose a different spot. I noticed most of the other attendees hadn’t switched spots in 3 days, including my new day 3 friends. I teased them about that too. We had a little chuckle, and then David took the stage.
His opening line was, “I see you’re all sitting in the same spots you’ve sat in all weekend!”
Sound familiar?
This can be a side effect of choosing to make big changes in your life. You learn to see things differently, and you start to embrace change and think about how you can create it every day.
By the way, this happens a lot with David and me. We often say the same things– all coincidentally. In 2020, David joined my “NEXT Dentist Conference” as a guest speaker. Three months later, he published his book, “What’s Your NEXT?“ I was just glad that my conference was first, so he didn’t think I copied his title! And only a month ago, David shared an incredible commentary on the “Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.” Just 3 months prior, I had devoted a dental contest speech to the #1 regret of the dying.
We’re not copying each other, I swear! We just happen to be aligned in our thinking. We get inspired by similar things because we both know what it’s like to design your life and career on YOUR terms. Life design is exactly what they do at Freedom Founders. David and I each guide the path forward in our own unique ways, but it all comes down to similar principles.
We believe that we all have the power to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you.
There is a reason we both look at a conference room full of people and think about choosing a different seat every day.
It’s because these mindset practices matter. They help you change the way you see your world around you, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. The more you change, the more you gain the confidence to forge your own path and be who you are meant to be.
If you want to create change in your life but you’re not sure how, start with the little things. Choose a different spot in your yoga class or drive a different route to work tomorrow.
When we change our perspective, our perspective changes.
Change is uncomfortable, but it almost always makes us better. That weekend, I could have stayed paralyzed by my social anxiety and talked to the same 5 people, but I chose to do the harder thing.
And that made the whole experience easier and more fulfilling.
It wasn’t just me, though– my confidence was also a testament to how welcoming and kind this community is, the community that David created. They embraced me and my message with open arms. By the end, I felt like I had known them forever. I couldn’t have felt so comfortable outside of my comfort zone without their help.
Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”
If you want to dream big or create your life on your terms, hang out with people who are doing that. If you want to avoid adventure, always choosing the safe path, that is okay too.
But, what if… just, what if… you could combine the two?
What if you could SAFELY go on a life adventure to chase that big dream and create your life on your terms?
The truth is, you can combine the two.
Start by pushing yourself to change a small thing every day and surround yourself with the 5 people you want to become. Be weary of the community that makes you think you have no better options staying stuck in pain. Instead, find that community that will help you grow, a community like Freedom Founders.
Guaranteed, it will help you know that change is possible.
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