I am not a marathon runner but I run my own kind of marathon every day – the marathon of life. It includes setting goals, a good diet, sound rest, preparation, conditioning, bumps and bruises, learning, competition, losses and wins. Each race is different, some with long stretches of flat roads and others with vast peaks and valleys. As I run my marathon of life, I can look ahead of me, behind me and along the sides of the roads and I can see cheerleaders and fearleaders along each route.

I have been blessed with many cheerleaders in my work and life along my marathons. You have them too. You know the ones! They are those who support your dreams, offer up encouragement when you fall or slow down. They trust you and your dreams. They believe in your goal, in you and when they offer up their encouragement and support, it is without any attachment to them. They do not tolerate ‘less than’ from you because they know you when you’re at your best!

Ever meet someone along your marathon in life, who believe they are your cheerleader but in retrospect you realize they are not? While they have good intentions they end up discouraging you.

These are the fearleaders.

They will end up reinforcing a fear you have or inspiring deep insecurity while you run your marathon to achieve a set goal.  Perhaps there isn’t enough time?  Not enough money? Not enough security? Maybe you’re not ready or there are others better than you? These fearleaders could be your boss, your spouse, siblings, friends, children or even you.

The cheerleaders can offer up perspective, support and motivation by tapping into YOUR strengths, YOUR intentions, YOUR goals, YOUR dreams, YOUR values. They believe you are strong enough, good enough, and liked enough.

If I fear anything, it’s that we permit fearleaders to be our cheerleaders.  While their intentions are usually good, they often don’t know their motivation is really about them and their own fears for you and for themselves.

What are you going to do to handle any potential fearleaders in your life that don’t see the reality of how they are trying to motivate, coach, or supervise you in your marathon of life? Who are the cheerleaders in your life? Recognize them and line them up for your next marathon.

You deserve it.