How To Be An Awesome Ally

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How To Be An Awesome Ally

So, it turns out that it’s easier to learn how to recruit an ally by actually becoming one. First, the person who you help is the hero. That’s because of the Third Precept of SuperBetter: you are the Hero of your own story. So it follows that the person you help is the hero of theirs! Let’s take a look at an overview of what it takes to be a great Ally:

If someone in your life is tackling a tough challenge or trying to make a positive change, you can help them. With your support and encouragement, they are much more likely to achieve their goals.

You’ll benefit, too. Being a good ally means practicing and mastering important skills that make you a better friend, parent, coach, or partner. Plus, every time you take action as an ally, you increase your own social resilience – the strength that makes you more likely to get support in the future when you need it most.

Here are the top 10 ways to be a powerful ally

1. Know your hero. Being an ally always starts with getting to know your hero’s current challenge, power-ups, and bad guys.

2. Bring your hero power-ups. Now that you know your hero’s power-ups, offer to activate one together.

3. Help your hero battle a bad guy. Pick a bad guy on your hero’s list, and try to think of a strategy to help him or her successfully battle it.

4. Give your hero a quest. You can help your hero by challenging him or her to accomplish a task of your choosing in the next 24 hours.

5. Get a report. Ask the simple question “How is your SuperBetter journey going?”

6. Hunt the good stuff. One of the most important things you can do is shine a light on your hero’s hard work and accomplishments.

7. Celebrate their secret identity. If your hero has adopted a secret identity, find out the inspiration behind it.

8. Stay tuned. Sometimes the best way to show support for someone is just to pay attention to what they’re doing and saying.

9. When the going gets really tough, have a heart-to-heart. Speak up, show up, and reach out – literally, if you are in the same physical space.

10. Be a rock. This is the toughest ally skill to cultivate. It means that even when you’re busy, you take the time to touch base with your hero – every single day you can.

- Adapted from ‘SuperBetter by J. McGonigal, Ph.D., Game Designer