Behind every great leader is an even better listener. Whether it be a friend, a roommate, a friendly roommate, a significant other, or an underpaid bartender, these are the unsung heroes of the November Project world.
Any NP supporter knows that when a leader becomes excited about a workout or an event or a stupid idea involving pinatas, you just have to sit back and listen. Because for the next 24 hours, it is all they will talk about. It is redundant, it is far too energetic, and it borders on psychotic-maybe-they-are-trying-to-relive-kindergarten syndrome. You all are God damn soldiers and I’m here to thank you.
I remember very early on in Connor and I’s relationship we held our very first yearbook photo session at the workout. Like a true kindergarten psycho I skipped out of work early to go to the art store to get all of the supplies. We made the most hilariously awful face cut out of a cardboard sign and put all the details of NP on the side. Due to my complete lack of artistic ability, THIS TOOK THE ENTIRE NIGHT. I remember I started cooking dinner for our date night but got completely distracted and Connor finished cooking, cleaned the kitchen, and was then an excellent sport when I made him act as the test model so I could try every single setting on the camera (Paddy move right there). This is just one small example of how Connor has supported the NP movement from the beginning without so much as a peep of frustration. He has gone on last minute adventures to find onesie costumes for workouts, woken up 45 minutes early to chalk the sidewalks at Alamo Square, participated in more running races than he ever thought he would in his lifetime, inhaled dangerous amounts of spray paint during home tagging sprees, and, more recently, supported me in my non-stop travel around the globe to help Brogan and Bojan continue stoking the NP flame. He deals with my late night text convo’s with Zip and Paddy (late night= 8:30-9 PM), early morning rises, and willingly shares me with the entire city of San Francisco, barely getting a “hello” at Wednesday workouts. Oh, and then there was that time we got engaged on a Wednesday night and didn’t say a word when I got on a flight the very next morning to fly to Canada to hang with 4 married dudes to discuss world takeover…while fighting in the yard with plastic swords in speedos, of course. Not a word.
This could just be a ramble from a loving wife who thinks knows her husband is the kindest dude on the planet, but I know I am not alone in this. Goldie cheered Brogan on as he traveled 3 weeks out of every month last year. Kate listens to Zip every night as he talks in his sleep about “how cool the basketball workout is going to be.” And Weston sets up makeshift water stops in their apartment so Paddy will take hydration breaks as he is pacing the home jabbering on about the tracker, google docs, and dropping pins. Leaders could not stand in front of their tribe 1,2 or 3 times a week with such passion and energy if they didn’t have the stronghold support that they have behind the scenes.
To the Connor Green’s of the NP world, I bow to you. Thank you for the unwavering encouragement. Thank you for continuing to believe in November Project and what it is doing for communities around the world. Thank you for listening (even when you think we are crazy). Thank you.
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