Reading is a huge part of my personal growth. Listening via audiobooks, if I’m being real. One of my favorite listening sessions was a book by James Clear, a well-known expert on habit formation who famous for his bestselling book “Atomic Habits”. In it, he emphasizes the power of small habits and incremental changes in achieving significant personal growth. One of the most compelling aspects of Clear’s philosophy is the idea of creating and sticking to habits that align with our values and goals. WhO EveR WoUlD haVE thOUGHt! This premise, paired with the pursuit of excellence by striving to become 1% better each day has been on loop since first picking up the book in 2021.
Practical Application
What if we applied this concept to our fandom? By establishing habits that empower others, we can take being a the ultimate #1 fan to the next level. This next section explores how establishing empowering habits can help us become next-level fans. Here are some actionable habit-building examples and strategies to help you make these skills feel like second nature:
One Compliment Per Day
Challenge yourself to give at least one genuine compliment to a friend, family member, or coworker every day. This will help you develop a natural inclination to uplift and encourage others.
In Practice: Keep a compliment journal to track your progress and reflect on the impact of your kind words. If you’re not a journal person, skip it. Eliminate barriers to execution whenever possible. What matters is getting your compliment across to the intended party. Just be sure to track if the act of extending a complement was completed.
Daily Self-Compliment
Make a habit of complimenting yourself at least once per day, focusing on your strengths, achievements, or positive qualities. This will boost your self-confidence and reinforce the importance of self-compassion.
In Practice: Set a daily reminder to reflect on something you appreciate about yourself. Really think through how and when you would like to do this. I like to start my day with
Active Listening Practice
Dedicate time each day to actively listen to someone, whether it’s during a conversation with a friend, family member, or coworker. This will help you become more in tune with others’ needs and emotions.
Idea: Incorporate active listening techniques, such as summarizing what the speaker said, asking open-ended questions, and maintaining eye contact.
Weekly Self-Reflection
Set aside time each week to reflect on your growth as a hype man. Identify areas for improvement and celebrate your successes.
In Practice: Keep a self-reflection journal and document your thoughts, feelings, and insights. If you’re like me, skip this part and instead just care out the time and be on your way. It’s better than not doing it at all.
Positive Affirmations
Start each day with positive affirmations that reinforce your hype man mindset, such as “I am a supportive and empowering friend” or “I uplift others and inspire them to be their best selves.”
In Practice: Write down your affirmations and place them somewhere visible, like on your bathroom mirror or computer screen, as a daily reminder.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
Engage with content that reinforces your hype man skills, such as books, podcasts, or videos about personal growth, motivation, and self-confidence.
In Practice: Create a playlist or reading list specifically geared towards developing your hype man abilities.
Build a Support Network
Connect with others who share your goal of becoming an ultimate hype man. Exchange ideas, share progress, and offer encouragement to help each other stay on track.
In Practice: Join a group or online community focused on personal growth, motivation, and support. LinkedIn is a great place to start.
By consistently practicing these habit-building examples and strategies, I’ve gradually made being an ultimate hype man feel like second nature. They have allowed for the extension of support and motivation to those around me personally and professionally.
