5 valuable lessons we learned from "Cheer" on Netflix

If you haven't seen the Netflix documentary series Cheer yet, skip work, ditch the date you found on Bumble that you know is going nowhere, and watch it immediately. It is a 6-part series following the Navarro College cheer squad in their preparation for Nationals. And through blood, sweat, tears and the occasional mental breakdown, Cheer offers us a visceral story of what it truly takes to win. So, I decided to apply the “Navarro way” to my own life. And here are the 5 key lessons I learned from this phenomenal series.

Get her up – A phrase used to encourage stunters to get the flyer in the air whatever it takes. And the reality is that it takes everyone giving 100% to get the flyer up...and keep her up. If you are the one person on the team, staff, group project not giving 100%, you are responsible for not achieving the goal. Come to the practice, the staff meeting, the group gathering prepared and ready to work. Arrive early, bring your necessary materials, know your stuff and be flexible in the moment. When every team member gives 100% you are bound to hit your goal.

Mat talk over trash talk – encouragement is a free gift. It literally cost you $0.00 including tax, to encourage people. If Jerry can encourage his team after not making mat, you can encourage your friend in her new job that you didn’t even want in the first place. When we are bitter or jealous of other people we give in to the irrational idea that there is a limited amount of success to go around. Being jealous will not cure your envy, and it will not give you what you want. So let’s encourage each other with kind words and acts of kindness. Because when we are encouraged, we naturally perform better and feel better. Imagine if your whole team, staff, classroom was constantly encouraged. Bitterness and jealousy cannot survive in an environment where everyone is genuinely happy for one another.

Tape up your sprained wrist and get back out there – As the squad prepares for Nationals, team members are getting hurt left and right. Bruised ribs, sprained ankles and popped elbows. But almost every time, these team members cover their injuries with some tape and a prayer and get right back out there to lift, flip and dance at 100%. Do not let small setbacks hijack your entire routine. If you didn’t get the first job you appled for, keep trying. If you didn’t get the promotion or the spot in the musical, keep trying. If your business plan tanked or your social media strategy flopped, get back up and try again because that will separate you from the rest of the quitters. When we get hurt or rejected, we tend to give up in fear of getting hurt again. But if you are the one who keeps getting up again and again and again, eventually, you will outlast everyone else who can't stand the hurt. Keep getting back up because it means your competition just got a little smaller.

It’s a dawg eat dawg world – Everyone is chasing dreams, so you need to be smart about how you chase yours. Know what you want and what is required of you to get it. Look at what your competitors are doing and do better. If you want a certain job, make sure you meet all the requirements and then some! It’s not enough to land the routine. Your hair and makeup and attitude better be out of this world. Figure out what makes you unique and lean into that. Don’t just meet the requirements, exceed them! That’s how you become top dawg.

Catch the flyer no matter what – Cheerleaders have a rule that when a flyer hits the ground the entire team must do 50 push-ups. Because when a flyer hits the ground it means no one had her back. Teammates must be willing to swoop in at a moment's notice to catch their flyers when they’re falling. There must be a trust between the flyer and the base that the flyer will not hit the ground. She knows her team has her back. When one of your teammates is falling, you better have his/her back. Know who your community is and be willing to swoop in and catch each other quick. We all need community, but it won’t last long if we stand by and watch each other fall. Show up for each other, listen and show grace and forgiveness, help your friend get back on track during those dark moments where it feels like they’re falling.

Go get em dawg.