Your life is contagious.
When you go out into this world, what are the people surrounding you catching? I'm not talking about a cold, or about a fever, or about COVID—I'm talking about your dedication. I'm talking about the impression you give off. When you go out into the world, I want you to remember that your behavior is contagious, and that whether or not you intend to, you are setting an example for someone.
What is the mark you're making on the people around you? Are you making your friends better, and are you making your team better? Are you making your environment a better place to live, and are you making the strangers you meet on the street better?
My grandma told me something a long time ago, and it's stuck with me ever since. My grandma told me that no matter where I found home, I should make my bed. No matter what place in life I found myself, I should strive to make that place a better place for all those around me. To this day, I'm a firm believer in that advice, and it's something that's helped me keep myself accountable for my entire life. When I enter a new environment, I ask myself, "Trent, how are you going to make this a better place?" When I meet new people, I ask myself, "Trent, how are you going to help these people become their best selves?"
Your attitude is contagious, your energy is contagious, and your life is contagious.
Let me ask you again—what are the people around you catching? Many of us don't want a leadership title, but some of us don't have a choice. Are you a reason for the people around you to try their best? Are you a contributing factor in the success of your friends? Are you making the people around you better, or are you making them worse? That's a question only you can answer, because like I always say, it all starts with you. Be the reason people are elevating their goals, and be the reason people know they can achieve anything. If you are a human being with breath in your lungs, I need you to remember something important. I need you to remember a crucial responsibility. If you're alive, you're a leader to someone. No matter what it is you're doing, you're setting an example for somebody out there.
As the famous quote goes, you've got to be the change you wish to see in the world. Lead by example, and spread an incredible example wherever you find yourself. Together, we can make this world a much better place to live.
It all starts with you.
