by Dr. Shannon | Mar 4, 2021 | Engage Your Students, Learn Leadership Skills
The only attribute better to possess than that of being an encourager, is being an honest one. Honestly, it’s true!
I like to think that most people are honest, but sorry to say, that is simply not the case. Although I still like to believe it. J
In a world full of silicone, pleather, faux, knock-off this and a nip and tuck off that…it’s no wonder that the act of simply being real is considered rare and therefore, valuable. People are hungry for the truth; whether they like to admit it or not. Of course, they won’t admit it, because most people are afraid. That is why they are dishonest. And usually it’s with him or herself more than anyone else. So this is going to be the focus of what I share with you today. But before I do, is it acceptable for me to be completely honest with you about this issue? Is a little tough love O.K.? Can you handle the truth?
If you desire to be the Instructor (Inspirer), as well as PERSON, that your students (and others) cannot wait to see again, then you must look at yourself openly and honestly. I like to think of this as our time (noticed I said, “our”…because we all need this) to be naked and unashamed!
Years ago I started writing a 12-Step Program for healthy people to keep them that way. After unknowingly attending a Narcotic’s Anonymous meeting, I discovered this remarkable thing called “12 Steps”. I was absolutely inspired and on a mission to discover a 12-Step Program that I could also be a part of. Since I was told that I would need to have a drug or alcohol addiction, or have a family member who did, in order to attend N.A. or A.A. meetings regularly.
I searched, but didn’t find anything available. So I began a journey to discover what the 12 steps would look like for someone who desired to “make healthy their habit”. Let’s face it; 12-Step Programs are designed to keep people from falling off the wagon. So what’s available to a healthy individual who gets stressed out, busy, etc. and they find themselves eating horribly and not exercising…”falling off the wagon” of great health?
The good news is, I now KNOW the 12-Steps to do just that. And these steps are tried and true; because they have taken me through some of the deepest valleys of my life, while staying “on the wagon” of great health and WELLTH. I share these steps in my book, Dr. Shannon Knows…The 12 Steps for Wellthy People. Quite simply, it’s how to make healthy your habit.
Through many of my own experiences (some intensely painful) I realized that the first step in being our best is facing our fears. I call it, “Exposing Yourself”. It’s when you truly ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” and you answer with honesty and courage. From there the process of wonderment takes over as you dare to wonder, “What if?” However, it’s the kind of “What if?” moment that leads you to being your best. Not worrying…just like all the rest.
Imagine what you and your life would be like if you were the best in the world? Perhaps it’s being an Olympic gold medalist, national titleholder or the best instructor, associate, employee or boss. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s being the best YOU that you can be. This is the revelation I had one day as I was imagining what it would be like to be the best in the world at something. I thought, “Hey, how about being the World’s Best ME!” What would that look like?
So what’s standing in your way? Who is standing in your way? What are you afraid of? When was the last time you looked in the mirror and gave honest (and loving) feedback to the person standing in front of you? Or do you see things as you would in a funhouse (usually not so fun) mirror? Are you seeing distortion, blown out of proportion, too fat, too thin, and certainly not a true reflection of the person you really are?
Are you ready (and willing) to see the truth?
Now we are really starting to get to the “not so easy to talk about” stuff. But remember in the beginning when I asked if it was O.K.? I thought I heard everyone say, “YES”! So here it goes…
Are you honest? Come on, this is not the time to candy-coat anything. Perhaps you have been candy-coating so many things in your life that you are gaining weight. Sometimes people (you or your students) gain weight not because of what they (or you) are eating, but what’s eating them (or you)!
Seriously, this is a huge issue and no cycling class is going to change this unless you lead from a place of loving honesty. Both with your students and your self!
People seem to lie about everything! From their weight, to their excuses, to their reasons for this or that, or simply why they are where they are. It’s always everyone else’s fault or is it?
One of my past coaches used to say, “Excuses are like toilets. We all have them and they all stink!” Years ago I realized that if my failures are someone else’s fault, then my successes will be too. In that moment I realized that no one besides me would be responsible for my successes or my failures. When we own our mistakes, we can own our successes.
Are you honest with yourself about you, your life, your passions, and your desires? Do you honor your commitments with others, as well as yourself? Do you keep your word? Do you show up when you say you’re going to show up? Or do you make excuses for your lack of integrity? Are you lovingly honest with your students? Are you worthy of their trust? Are you worthy of YOUR trust?
Remember that a trustworthy messenger brings healing. That’s right, and whether you’re a doctor or an instructor, we are all teachers. Those who come to us are seeking something. You can be the one who delivers it to them, even if you never say a word! They will feel (and heal) better just by being in your presence. Honesty and integrity have an unforgettable presence, because they are qualities that are highly productive and attractive.
As I said before, people (you and your students) are hungry for the truth. Make sure that you honor your words to yourself and your students, think the best and speak the truth.
Live what you believe and reflect the truth that is within you! If you don’t like what you are seeing, then it’s time to take a deep look at your “truths”. What do you believe? How is it working for you? (These are two of the most profound questions you can ask yourself.) YOU CAN DO IT! And remember to be kind and encouraging when you do.
Honest self-awareness and authenticity are the keys to your success (health, happiness, WELLTH) in every area of your life. And they will be the core of what makes (and keeps) you the Instructor (Inspirer) that your students (and you) can’t wait to see again!
Honestly yours,
Dr. Shannon
chiropractor | coach | speaker | author
http://www.drshannonknows.com
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Originally posted 2012-04-15 06:00:52.
by Dr. Shannon | Nov 22, 2017 | Engage Your Students, Learn Leadership Skills
Are you still as deeply passionate and in love with instructing as you used to be? If the answer is yes, good for you! If it is not, then good for you! You are about to be reminded of some things that perhaps you have forgotten.
It was the spring of 1985 and I will never forget the first time I saw someone teaching an “aerobics class”. Yes, that’s what we used to call what is known today as a “Group Fitness” class. It was absolutely intriguing. So much energy, rhythm and sweat! The music was playing (yes, sweatin’ with the 80’s) and my body starting moving. I was a junior in high school, and even though I was an athlete I had never done (or seen) this type of workout. I asked the owner of the gym how I could “do that”? She told me I could join the gym and start taking classes. To which I replied, “No, I don’t want to take the class, I want to teach the class.” She smiled, as she asked me if I had ever taken a class before. I told her no, but that I wanted to learn how to teach like the instructor that I was watching. She responded by telling me that the first place to start was by taking classes. I signed up and started training. Several weeks later I became certified and the rest is history. That was 32 years ago, and it seems like just yesterday that I put on my red unitard (yes, that’s what we called them), and white leg warmers as I began a journey that has never lost its passion for me!
When you are truly passionate about something, not only will you keep coming back for me…year after year. But your followers will do the same.
What is passion? Although I use this word a lot, I decided to find out what my trusty pocket dictionary had to say about it. (Thank you “Dictionary App”) “Any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling…” “The state of being acted upon or affected by something external, especially something alien to one’s nature or one’s customary behavior…”
That led me to the words, powerful and compelling. What do they really mean?
Powerful: “physically strong…producing great physical effects…having great effectiveness…having great power, authority or influence…”
Compelling: “having a powerful and irresistible effect; requiring acute admiration, attention or respect…”
Wow…by nature, when you are genuinely passionate about what you are doing, you will have the capacity to do something alien to your previous nature or customary behavior.
Naturally, you will also become physically strong(er), produce great physical effects (in yourself and others), have great effectiveness, and great power (previously mentioned), authority and influence! Would you like a little (or a lot) of that?
Passion equates to power. Being passionate equals being powerful. This leads to you being compelling, which ultimately will draw others (your students) to you. This is magnetic and multiplicable (Is that a word? Well, if it’s not…it is now. And it means that your magnetism will lead to exponential multiplicity. J) That means that you and those around you will experience expansion that comes from a rare and organic source deep within you. Thus, gaining you the “acute” (not “a-ugly J) admiration, attention or respect that you deserve (and let’s face it, quite possibly “DESIRE”).
Don’t you just love the power of words? I do too!
But these are far more than just words; they are a representation of the value (your core) that resides inside of you and every passionate leader. If it’s just “lip service”, then it really isn’t passion and therefore you will continue to seek something that seems distant and unattainable.
So let’s talk about this for a moment. What if you had passion for being a fabulous instructor, but somehow you seem to have misplaced it? Perhaps it’s hidden somewhere with your thong leotard and headband? OMG…has it been that long?
Thank God we don’t have to go back to move forward, but sometimes we need to go within so we do not have to go without. What do I mean by this?
Sometimes when it seems as though we have lost something that we thought we once had, we long for what some may refer to as “the good ole’ days”. It’s something we may long for, but is not possible to attain. Come on, would you really want to go back to using tapes, choreography, thong leotards, and leg warmers? O.K., maybe the thong leotards…they really did make our butts look smaller, don’t you think? JK! J Do you really want to go back to the stationary Air-Dyne bike that pumped your arms as you pedaled with your legs?
If you want to long for something and fully attain it, long for discovering your true passion. What compelled you to become an instructor in the first place? Do you remember it like it was yesterday? (I do!) Do you remember how excited (and nervous) you were to teach your first class? Do you remember the first time a student told you what a huge difference you had made in their life? Do you remember how great it felt to proudly tell your friends and family that YOU had become a fitness instructor (or perhaps an aerobics instructor…or cycling instructor)? You had a goal and you accomplished it. Why?
It’s time to tap into the reason you started in the first place, and give thanks for a dream fulfilled and a goal accomplished. It’s time for you to awaken the passion within you, and move ahead as you “make love” with what you are doing every time you do it. Let the sizzle inside you penetrate those around you. Then you, my friend, will be the instructor that your students cannot wait to see again!
Experts say that “sex sells”…well true LOVE not only sells, but it also pays…and it pays big! Pay yourself what you’re worth by investing your heart and soul into every class that you instruct, and watch what happens to not only your class…but also your own personal CLASS!
When you do what you love and love what you do…you will love YOU, and so will everyone around you! This is exactly how to be the Instructor (Inspirer) that your students can’t wait to see. It begins with being the instructor (Inspirer) that YOU can’t wait to see!
Thanks for allowing me to share what I see…
Dr. Shannon
Dr. Shannon Subramaniam
chiropractor | coach | speaker | author
http://www.drshannonknows.com
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by Dr. Shannon | Jan 10, 2017 | Engage Your Students, Learn Leadership Skills
You met Dr. Shannon back on Podcast #200 and now she is an official ICI/PRO Team Member! This is the first in a four part series; Be The Instructor (Inspirer) Your Students Can’t Wait To See Again
Your alarm goes off and even the sun is still asleep. It’s time to get to your class and teach the best class of your life. But you don’t feel like it. Now what? It’s time to encourage YOU!
People have always told me that I am an encourager. I would agree. I love to encourage others. Well, actually I don’t think of it as “encouraging others”. Instead, I truly think of it as “seeing the best in others”, as well as almost every situation. (I say, “almost” because we all have those moments when we have a really bad attitude. When all we want to do is swear and think the worst about others or ourselves…. But then, if you’re like me, you realize that this kind of attitude gets you nowhere except into a deeper funk, which just makes everything worse. So my best advise to all of us is “choose to think the best about ourselves and others, and choose happy.” Deal? J) There is nothing quite as brilliant as mastering the art of encouraging others and yourself.
When you see the best in others, they will tend to see the best in you. It’s amazing to me how few people on this planet truly encourage and compliment others. That is, compared to the number of people who focus on the negative and are very vocal in their discouraging opinions about others, as well as themselves. Let’s face it; gossip is usually not the art of telling others how awesome they think someone is! Even total strangers will generously give you their negative comments or ask discouraging questions…I wouldn’t do that if I were you. That will never work. Why would you want to do that in this economy? …blah, blah, blah!
All of us need encouragement. Even on great days a little encouragement goes a long way. The art of encouraging begins with recognizing something unique, new or special in those around you. When you notice something worth noting in one of your students, don’t hesitate to let them know it. The art of building others up with genuine words of praise and recognition will draw others to you. Think about it, the last time you felt discouraged, how valuable was a single word of encouragement to you? Invaluable!
I believe this is why social media has become so popular and almost addictively pleasurable for many. It’s because the human population is desperate to be recognized, valued, and appreciated. Everyone wants to be noticed! That includes, you! The more you recognize and encourage others, the more others will notice you. It really is that simple, as long as your encouraging words are genuine and heart felt.
It goes back to something we all learned in kindergarten. I believe it’s referred to as the Golden Rule (because it is highly valuable), “Treat others the way you would like to be treated”. Am I right? Or am I right?
My Pastor used to say, “Pay attention, or you will have to pay somebody”. I like to think that if we master the art of paying attention, soon others will be paying us…a lot! How does that sound?
But what about those days when you yourself are feeling totally discouraged. First of all, it’s vitally important (especially when you pour into the lives of others) to have those individuals in your life (Your “Inner Circle”) that you can always count on to lift you up and remind you of whom you truly are. I have a dear friend, Noah St. John, who refers to them as “Loving Mirrors”. I like to think of them as my 1 of 11’s. What? 1 plus 1 does not equal 2 in my book, it equals 11. They are the people in your life who add exponential value by simply being there. They are the 1’s who keep us straight, who keep us up…especially on those days when we are not, and quite frankly, don’t really want to be…period! They are the 1’s who care even when we don’t!
The person at the top of your “1 of 11 List” must (and I repeat, must) be Y-O-U! There are going to be plenty of times in your life when you need to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and remind yourself that, “Yes you can! You can do it!” You have got to encourage yourself and be willing to do so, especially if no one else is doing it for you.
The simple act of encouraging yourself will totally encourage (and inspire) YOU and those around you. I guarantee it!
There is infinite power in the words that we think and speak. Seriously, have you ever thought about someone out of the blue and that same day you happen to run into them? Coincidence? Or is it evidence about how powerful our thoughts really can be? I like to think that my thoughts have power, how about you?
When you speak (whether with words or thoughts), let it be the language of creation, not destruction…encouragement, not discouragement. I believe that our lives are a product of the words that we speak and the questions that we ask ourselves. How encouraging are you? Do your words reflect positive expectation (hope) or negative reflection (despair)?
I encourage you to be the biggest encourager you know. However, this comes with one challenge. If you are the biggest encourager you know, people are going to want to know you. And you must be willing to encourage yourself; because no one else can do it as well as you can do it for yourself.
When I opened my own Fitness Studio several years ago, I had one woman that used to come to class, let’s refer to her as “Mary”. Mary was an older woman that was pretty de-conditioned. I remember seeing the look on her face, as we were amping up our intensity. She had this look of “OMG, I cannot do this…I think I’m going to die!” Without even thinking I said, “Yes you can, Mary! You can do hard things!” The look on her face changed and so did everything else.
This quickly became the mantra for the entire class…Yes we can! We can do hard things!
For years I have reminded others and myself (as I am reminding you today) that YES YOU CAN! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! When it comes to being the Instructor (Inspirer) that your students can’t wait to see again, YES YOU CAN! IT’S REALLY NOT THAT HARD! Pay attention…it will eventually pay you!
Be Encouraged…
Dr. Shannon
chiropractor | coach | speaker | author
http://www.drshannonknows.com
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NOTE: We've re-run this post for the benefit of all of our new ICI/PRO members.
by Dr. Shannon | Apr 22, 2012 | Engage Your Students, Learn Leadership Skills
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday that comes once a year. Thanks giving can make every day of your life a holiday and you a celebrity!
I will show you how.
The most powerful thing that you can do to make your life (no matter what you are experiencing) the best that it can be, is to be a giver of thanks. The more you give the more you will receive!
Every year celebrities from all over the globe walk the red carpet to receive their rewards. The lights, action, glitz and glamour are all a part of the celebration. Can you imagine what it would be like to put on your best…and have all eyes on you as you are celebrated for being you?
A celebrity is quite simply, “1. the state of being celebrated: RENOWN 2. a celebrated person” (Thank you Merriam-Webster J)
Can you imagine being a celebrity? Then imagine this.
People are lined up outside of your gym as far as your eye can see. There is standing room only in the parking lot! You have to park almost a mile away. You quickly move through the crowd as you head to the front of the line. The cameras are flashing and the people are going wild. The energy is palpable.
Your manager meets you at the door and welcomes you in. “Wow, what is going on?” you ask. He responds, “Your class is about to start. We’ll talk later.”
The entire gym is packed with people. Some you recognize, some you do not. Everyone is looking at you as if they know you. Who are all these people? Where did they come from? Why are all these people here? These are just a few of the questions that are flying through your mind as you are flying through the crowd, desperately trying to get to the studio.
The studio is packed! Every bike is full and people are standing everywhere! “What is going on”, you ask?
The crowd roars, “YOU are going on! We wanted to show up and tell you how awesome you are, how much we love and appreciate you, and we can’t wait to watch you do what you do!”
Can you imagine what that would feel like? Would you prepare for class differently if you knew everyone was going to show up expecting your best class? Of course you would!
But what if you don’t have hundreds of students fighting to get into your class? Well, guess what; YOU DO! They are fighting crowds of depression, obesity, and complacency. They are overwhelmed and under…inspired; under…recognized; under…appreciated. They have lived their life under the radar and they are desperate to SHOW UP!
They may be miles away, and not even know that you are there. They may find their way to your class, or maybe they will not. Regardless, YOU will be there with your best performance when they do! They need YOU to show up! Why?
Because you are one who is celebrated. You are the one they have literally been dying to meet because you celebrate people (this includes YOU). And they know that if they can just get near you, they too will feel significant.
So you may be thinking, “Yeah, right…if I were a celebrity…it would be easy to have a packed class every week, but I am NOT!”
If you go back to the definition of celebrity, you will see that in fact, you can be. Celebrate you and you will be celebrated. Celebrate others and they will celebrate you!
It’s time to see yourself and others as a gift. If you love to instruct, then do it with all your heart. Pour your heart into your class, even if only one or two people show up. Thank them for showing up so you can do what you love to do. A leader needs followers to lead, an instructor needs students to teach, and a celebrity needs to be celebrated to be a celebrity. So are you celebrating YOU, and those around you?
No matter what you or your students are experiencing, there is always something to recognize and celebrate. The more you are grateful for, the more you will have to be grateful for!
Often people will wait until they lose weight to give thanks, or their situation to change before they celebrate. But sadly, this day seems to elude them.
Does losing weight promise great health or is it the expression of the great health that’s within you (or your students)? When you stop trying to get something that you think you do not have, and begin to give thanks for that which you do…everything transforms! Change takes time, but transformation happens the moment we give thanks!
Give thanks!
People think that eating well and exercise are a guarantee of great health. The reality is that they are merely an expression of the great health that lies within them.
You may think that if you do “this” or “that” then you will be the instructor that everyone can’t wait to see. Your reality is merely an expression of the gratitude that lies within you. When was the last time you told how a student how grateful you are to have them in class? When was the last time you sent a hand-written note to someone thanking him or her for being who they are?
Do you remember what it feels like to be in love? Everything seems so perfect. You only see the good (or great) in the person you love. You have so much energy. You feel inspired. And that excess weight just seems to melt away. Why is that? Because when we are in love, we are at our best. Not the other way around.
If you are waiting to love yourself until you lose that extra weight or get that promotion, you may never experience it. If you are waiting to be a celebrity only when your class is full and the line is out the front door, you will miss your moment!
One day I told one of my coaching clients that she looked as though she was in love. She was literally glowing! She looked so radiant and so happy! She quickly responded, “I am! I am in love with me!” For the first time in her life, she had fallen in love with herself. Not because she had lost weight, but because she had gained herself. She had discovered who she really was, and just how loveable she is. That has led to her becoming her natural, healthy weight, and she is now in the best shape of her life! Oh, and let me tell you, just recently she has attracted a wonderful man into her life too. Those who are celebrated are “celebrities”. And people want to be around a celebrity. Love attracts love!
I absolutely love it! This is why I do what I do!
Why do you do what you do? Tap into your passion again! (Look for my next post, Be The Instructor (Inspirer) Your Students Can’t Wait To See Again…A Lesson On Being Passionate coming next week.
Have you ever written yourself a love letter? Why not? Why wait for someone else to write you one? Then if you really want to be a celebrity, stand in front of the mirror and read it out loud! Why should we wait for our funeral to hear our eulogy?
Grateful leads to great-full! That’s right, being full of great! Your classes will be full because you celebrate the great in each and every one of those in the room (you and your students).
If you desire to be the Instructor (Inspirer) your students can’t wait to see again, give thanks for the instructor and be inspired! Can I have your autograph?
Great-fully yours,
Dr. Shannon
chiropractor | coach | speaker | author
http://www.drshannonknows.com
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