You might feel like you’ve read “this” article a hundred times. “When you see a new face in the gym, say hi!” Stick with me here. Read this article for the one hundred and first time. But this time, when you’re done, take action.
One of the things that people love most about CrossFit is, (let’s all fill in the blank here at the same time…) the Community! Have you ever walked into an already established community and felt like an outsider? Not the easiest for you to just walk up to someone new and introduce yourself? It’s not the easiest thing in the world for most. I was a very shy kid and I know how debilitating it can be.
Instead, as an established member of this already established community, if you see a new face, someone who doesn’t seem to be talking to anyone else, say hi. For you, it may be easy. For the person on the other side of it, you have just made their day. You made them feel welcome. You gave them a person to talk to when they are feeling intimidated or like an outsider. It goes a long way.
On the other hand, I’ve coached classes where I have facilitated people talking to each other who don’t normally socialize with one another. They had been taking the same class for years and never even knew each other’s names. That just doesn’t seem right! If you see a face you’ve seen a million times but still don’t have any clue as to their name, go up to that person and introduce yourself. Break the routine; make a new friend!
I challenge you, yes you, the person who has stuck with me and read this for the one hundred and first time, to make a new friend this week. And then make a new friend next week. That friendship might not stick or you might become the next unlikely duo. You don’t know until you put yourself out there and try!
Written By: Blair Bayne