Learn how to inspire others

One of the best parts about becoming a fit and healthy leader is that you feel like you’re "in" on a secret path that can help others. As you see and feel great results, there is a good chance you will develop a burning desire to spark your family, friends, co-workers and social community.

Most people don't realize how much of an impact they can have on others. They think it takes some kind of expert to truly change someone’s life. The fact is that anyone can have a strong positive impact on other people. Sometimes it might only take a few words of encouragement to turn around someone else’s day.  

Rock in a Pond

In the earliest days of SparkPeople when someone posted a message to our community, a few employees received an email alert and at least one of us responded to make the member feel welcome.  At first, we were almost always the first responders.

As the community grew, I would receive an alert and head to the boards to respond. Suddenly there were already answers—often better answers than I could give! It was so fun to see members helping each other and becoming friends. We noticed responses from experienced members who were growing into community leaders, or other responses from someone who had just joined the site the prior day but were already making a positive contribution.

The community became like throwing a rock in the pond with rings spreading out from the initial splash.  That’s what we want to continue doing now to spark tens of millions of people around the world!

You are needed!

With all the various types of stress, physical health issues, mental health issues, and more, you are needed now more than ever.  Your support could change or even save lives.

Here is something I’ve learned personally about anxiety and even depression. People who have these issues can become very good at putting on a "mask" to others that is completely different than how they really feel.  We all need help sometimes, so let’s foster a spirit here of keeping an eye out for each other.

How to help others

There are different leadership styles, so you can pick what most suits your personality. Your leadership style might even change over time.

Leadership styles for helping others include:

1. Leading by example: When others see you putting in the effort and getting positive results, there’s a good chance they will model your behavior changes.

2. Directly helping others by:

• Coach/mentor others: This can be either a formal or informal relationship you cultivate.
• Be a public leader: This is an obvious example where you take on a leadership role in any type of organization (even a "family" organization).
• Community service: It's great to use some of the extra energy and leadership you build from your program to give back to the community, either on your own or as part of a service group.

I’ll be honest, this concept is one of my biggest hopes for SparkPeople: To build millions of fit and healthy leaders sparking other people.

The Real Secrets for Today

One of the best parts about helping other people is that you are helping yourself at the same time!  When you motivate other people authentically, then you have to stay healthy and fit yourself. Whenever I motivate others, it fuels my desire to stay on track so I can continue helping more people.

Isn't it nice how this works out? There is even research showing that helping others is healthy for you.

As one caveat, make sure you don’t overdo this. If you take care of other people without taking care of yourself first, then over time you will lose your ability to be a fit & healthy leader – meaning that neglecting yourself actually leads to less help for others over time.

Finally, when you think about ways to leave your mark as a person in your time on Earth, getting into position to make an impact on other people—whether that is one person or one million people—is an incredible way to do it.