But in going back to the basics, I encourage you to go watch a little league game (or rather, think back to a former one). Chances are, you’re going to find a little kid on the sidelines cheering for everyone. No matter who scores, there they are, jumping and clapping with vigor. It’s unclear if they understand the point of the game, but no one dares to spoil their fun.
how to become a cheerleader
Show Up Big
Cheerleaders are known for their spirit. They’re participating in spirit week, fully decked out in costumes and face paint. They’re attending school events and involved in their community. Chances are, if you’re a cheerleader, these are the kind of things you live for.
The days of high school are long behind most of us, so how does this translate into your adult life? Well, it’s that dinner to honor your friend’s promotion. The local food pantry your people are heading up. Your (by blood or by choice) niece or nephew’s robotics competition. Can you imagine if we chose to show up with excitement for the things we dread or see as a chore? Pump yourself up for the things your friends are excited about and watch them light up. I promise you, they’ll come alive.
You don’t even need a reason or an event, you just need a Tuesday. Especially in a global pandemic, you have to create your own moments to celebrate. Commit to it.
Go Full-Out
In cheerleading, there are two different types of routine run-throughs. First, there is what we call “marking”. During marking, the squad walks through the routine to ensure everyone knows their placement and timing. They go through the motions, but it’s performed at lower energy. It’s a conservative effort that withholds any stunts or tumbling. Coaches ask squads to mark a routine to clean-up the performance and preserve everyone’s energy.
Then, there’s what we call “full-out”. It’s exactly as it sounds. This is when squads practice the routine just as hard as they would perform in an actual competition. Your most complex stunts and most difficult tumbling sequences are thrown. This is where your shirt is drenched in sweat and your voice is hoarse from cheering on your teammate’s new skill.
When it comes to life, I am afraid too many of us “mark” our way through the motions. I get it: sometimes you need to preserve your energy. That’s an important topic for another day. But when it comes to our people, are we ever going full out? If the answer is no, it’s worth asking ourselves why.
For me, fear comes to mind. Anytime I am tempted to half show-up or “mark” my way through life, it’s because I’ve allowed fear to talk me out of it. I’d love to show up with a ridiculous amount of balloons to a friend’s birthday party. I only hesitate when I wonder if other people think I am weird. Will they think I am ‘too much’?
But going full out means being the one who buys the local Party City out of helium birthday balloons. It’s volunteering to dress up as your nibling’s favorite Disney character at their birthday party. It’s committing to supporting someone at full speed.
When it comes to this, cheerleaders aren’t consumed with the “what ifs”. They’re not concerned with looking silly or dumb. They’re just doing it full-out. True cheerleaders don’t care if they show up bigger than others. It isn’t about that – it’s about the people they support.
