Peer Power…

I rode my bike today.  I usually ride alone, which I don’t mind a bit.  But today was different.  Today was better.  Today I rode WITH Chet, Mike, Dave and George.  Real riders.  I am a rookie.  They are veterans.  They were kind to invite me.  I was wise to accept.

They made me laugh – I expected that.  Then they made ride.  Really ride.  Faster and farther than I would have WITHOUT them.  I guess I expected that, too.  But I tried to ignore it, not wanting to chicken out before I even headed out this morning.

For two hours they pulled me AND they pushed me.  I’m sure it was a walk-in-the-park for them.  But for me, in mid-February, it was a BIG ride.

At the top of the last hill, as I peeled off toward my street, they said, “See ya!” and I said, “Thanks for the ride…AND the encouragement.”  Thanks for the peer power, I thought.

It had dawned on me, as I was trying to catch them up that last hill, that I was completely spent, riding solely on peer power.  Kind of like peer pressure, but just the opposite (trust me — your mind goes crazy places as you’re slowing down, sucking air, watching your riding mates get smaller and smaller).

We all know about peer pressure.  Peer pressure tries to make you do things you shouldn’t do.  It tries to makes you go places you shouldn’t go, smoke things you shouldn’t smoke, say things you shouldn’t say.  It tries to make you something you’re NOT.

Peer power tries to make you do things, too.  It tries to make you read more.  It tries to make you write more.  It tries to make you exercise more, eat better, try harder, listen closer, forgive faster, learn more, love more and be more.  It tries to make you a better YOU.

Peer pressure grabs you because you don’t want to disappoint THEM.  Peer power grabs you because you don’t want to disappoint YOURSELF.

Peer pressure is about them getting you to do what THEY want.  Peer power is about them getting you to do what YOU want.

Peer pressure is all about you FEARING them.  Peer power is all about them LOVING you.

The late business philosopher, Jim Rohn, put it this way:

“You must constantly ask yourself these questions:  Who am I around?  What are they doing to me?  What have they got me reading?  What have they got me saying?  Where do they have me going?  What do they have me thinking?  And most important, what do they have me becoming?  Then ask yourself the BIG question:  Is that okay?”

Take the time to become crystal clear about WHO you are, what you BELIEVE, and WHERE you want to go.

Then, choose your peers wisely.