You won’t hear about them on Tik Tok. You won’t see them on television. They don’t display trophies, but they are winners. And, like all champions, they face new situations each day.
Our next-door neighbor wears a fanny pack for her daily walk. Geanie’s pack is loaded with shelled peanuts. Noisy crows and black birds are squawking for a breakfast treat by the time Geanie reaches the end of the block.
Larry is the neighbor everyone hopes to have. When the toilet is stopped up, a mini-Phillips screwdriver is needed, or there’s a hole in the window screen, Larry gets a call. And he responds willingly unless he’s volunteering at church.
Across the street, Elizabeth rarely ventures out. She cares for her husband who has dementia. Twice a week, a red car parks in the driveway when a respite worker spends the afternoon. That gives Elizabeth several hours to shop and work through her list of errands.
Champions on our cul-de-sac relocated from New York, Illinois, and Egypt. Their day jobs are not the same, but that’s not unusual. After all, champions come from every walk of life and across the planet. I’m simply happy they live on our street.
Have you ever wanted to be a champion?
The best neighbors share qualities with the champions who make headline news today and will take home gold at the upcoming Olympics. Can you adopt these winning qualities and bring them to your community?
Goal-directed. Realistic goals are starting points. They offer blueprints for the future. Do you want to call each resident by name? Visualize that successful end point. Walk down the street with a positive picture in mind. After all, every gold medalist imagines wearing a medal around her neck. Neighborhood champions walk confidently through their surroundings.
Courageous. Champions on a basketball court or a chess tournament take calculated risks. Good neighbors aren’t afraid of failure, either. They are willing to step out of their comfort zones to make a connection. However, you can program efforts for success. If a mom is carrying a crying baby into the house, wait to connect until she’s leisurely pushing a stroller. If the person down the block has a house full of company, delay a visit. Neighborhood champions have bravery shaped by “real-life smarts.”
Motivated. The champion diver who leans too far into the board is committed to improving and will take the extra step to do so. A good neighbor bakes a second tray of cookies for the homebound neighbor, and runs next door with the address of a reliable plumber. A neighborhood champion might use a walker or have a shy personality, but is driven to make a difference for those who live nearby.
Inspiring. A true champion oozes enthusiasm. These winners might not always score the game-winning run, but their spark of energy is contagious. Whether or not they consciously strive to stand tall, their invigorating spirit spreads to those around. A good neighbor is always moving forward, ready to invigorate others.
Can you be a superstar where you live?
Absolutely!
The qualities reflected in champions are not defined by gender, ethnicity, or age.
A winning mindset brings strength to the neighborhood, whether in a suburban, city, or rural location. Goal-directed, courageous, motivated, and inspiring residents can live in a high-rise building, duplex, or single-family home.
Bring those gold medal qualities to your community. Be a champion!
Would love to see this organization host a yearly event where like minded people can learn from eachother. Similar to NUSA! You guys are amazing in your own right. I’ve learned a lot in a short amount of time following you.
Thanks for the vote of confidence! Until we have a conference of our own, we will keep presenting at conferences like NUSA. If there are others you know of, let us know so we can be there too. We will also come more locally, so let us know if you have any ideas of local places for presenting.