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 John | Mar 5, 2015 | Best Practices, Boutique Instructor, Instructor Tips and Tricks, Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Learn Leadership Skills, Master Instructor Blog, Your Fitness Business
I got this email last week – but I can't divulge who it's from for reasons you'll understand.
Here's one for you, John:
We've got a new instructor here who has been teaching for decades elsewhere, but is now only at our club. I get complaint after complaint about her from participants the days I teach. I have encouraged members to share their feedback with management, submit comment cards, etc.
However, I wonder, is it ok for me to also share the feedback I've been hearing with management? It's a situation where I don't know if I should wait and let numbers speak for themselves or say something.
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Sent from my iPhone,
I'm big on teammates respecting and supporting each other. So my short answer would be along the lines of the Golden Rule:
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you
> leaving you with two possible choices:
- Say nothing to management
- Speak to the Instructor privately after taking her class and express your observations
I happen to know Sent from my iPhone personally. She teaches at a very upscale club, whose members are professionals. I'm sure they have high expectations for Instructors = their concerns/complaints are probably valid*.
*I say probably valid, but you can never be sure. I'll never forget years ago I had female members tell me about a “horrible” new instructor. So I went and took her 9:30am class > which was filled with housewives. It took me exactly 3 minutes to figure out what was driving all the complaints. The new Instructor was; young, thin, attractive and had a very “perky” personality. There wasn't anything wrong with her class, except that she had the misfortune of replacing a very good looking male Instructor 🙁
IMO Saying nothing is always best
Staying out/away from situations like this is the best tactic you can take as a professional. It will also demonstrate your character as a solid human being. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who live for the drama and attempt to drag you into what would amount to throwing your teammate under the bus.
I don't feel what another Instructor does, or doesn't, do is any of my business. I hear stuff about other Instructors and classes all of the time. I try to keep my responses limited to, “I'm glad that you enjoy my class”.
Flip this around. How would you feel if another Instructor was “reporting” on you, based on comments from others?
Hearsay is inadmissible in courts for a reason
Hearsay, which literally means; “I heard him say…” is a form of gossip. Gossip that is often destructive to others and deadly to a small team of Instructors, or co-workers of any type.
If I was an owner or manager and another Instructor came to me with “concerns” they've heard from members, I wouldn't listen to them and my opinion of this person as a fitness professional would go down. Then I'd probably begin to wonder what he/she is saying about me, when I'm not around 🙁
We all need to be able to trust and depend on each other. Amy and I travel frequently = we needs subs. We are totally dependent on the comradery of our team to cover classes. If I heard that another Instructor was trash-talking me, or another on our team, I sure won't go out of my way to help them.
Why are you telling me this?
A good question to ask yourself, am I doing something to cause these comments?
I'm always curious when I hear that person “A” felt it necessary to report to person “B”, about person “C”. I don't feel that's normal. Something is causing person “A” (your reporting member) to come to you about one of your co-instructors. Any idea what it could be?
For example > are you telling riders during class, “I'll never tell you to do _______________ in class because its; dumb/unsafe/contraindicated/will cause your hair to fall out/etc…?
If you are, what's the purpose of saying it?
If you feel you need to get involved… get involved
There's nothing wrong with acting on the concerns you're hearing, to decide if they're legitimate. But you need to experience them first hand… as in go and take the class yourself.
After hearing for years about the untrained Instructors and dangerous classes being taught at SoulCycle, from people who have never set foot in a SoulCycle studio, I spent the money, took two classes, and reported on what I experienced in this series of articles. NOTE: There's a reason that studio fills nearly all of their 60 weekly classes (with 60 bikes) in a city that's 80 and sunny nearly every single day > Santa Monica, CA.
Stay incognito and keep an open mind
If you came to take my class, (and I don't know you) I would prefer that you acted like any other member. Please don't tell me, “Hi. I'm one of the Instructors here at XYZ Fitness!” Most of us will feel/act different when we know one of our peers is watching us.
Jump on a bike in the middle of the studio and do your best to be one with the class. If everyone is doing rhythm presses, except you, you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Worse if you just sit there motionless, with a defiant look on your face.
Take a few mental notes… some positive and some you felt were negative.
Then before you approach the Instructor, you need to do some honest soul searching.
Is it really my place to critique this Instructor?
What was really so bad about the class?
Did the participants enjoy the class?
What positive result will come from expressing my unsolicited opinions?
If you can get beyond all of that and still feel you need to pursue this with the Instructor, I can't help you.
My instinct is to stick with and support my teammates.
by John | Jan 21, 2015 | Best Practices, Engage Your Students, Instructor Training, Learn Leadership Skills, Master Instructor Blog
You need to have read part one of this series where I laid out two scenarios and asked the question;
Why do Breathless Betty and Chatty Cathy not behave the same way that you and Susan did at WSSC?
It's my worldly perspective that the major difference between those two situations boils down to respect. You and Susan show your respect for Josh Taylor by behaving correctly – riding in silence. Breathless Betty and Chatty Cathy aren't showing the instructor in scenario #1 any respect > make sense?
But why?
So if in one instance people are disrespecting you and the other's in your class by talking, but in a different situation they wouldn't, the obvious question to ask is WHY? Why do people act disrespectfully? The whole concept of why people do what they do is fascinating to me. Back in 2011 I introduced you to the concept of Start with WHY and that it's important to understand why you are doing what you do… and why some of your participants do what they do.
I see three possible reasons why:
- They don't know they are acting disrespectfully…
- They don't care they are acting disrespectfully…
- They're disrespecting you on purpose…
I'm making the assumption that your goal is a quiet, focused class – where you're the only one doing the talking. If it's a yard-sale (neither quiet or focused) – with others talking (besides you), I feel it's super important to truly understand why (what's the real reason), before you can effectively address the problem.
Was there ever a time when you made an assumption about the motivations behind a person's actions, only to be horribly embarrassed when you discovered you had it completely wrong?
We don't want that to happen, so lets explore these three potential reasons a participant in your class would disrespect you. Then we'll know the right ways to address the issues.
OMG! I had no idea 🙁
In my little story about your participation in Josh Taylor's class, your friend Susan acts embarrassed when she realizes that attempting to start a conversation with you was completely inappropriate.
Most people care and wouldn't purposefully act disrespectfully toward you. So we can assume that the reason why the are talking… is because they don't understand that they shouldn't. Unfortunately there are a lot of Instructors who don't have control of their class. I've ridden in many classes where the Instructor has either given up, or are too afraid to do anything.
So there's a good chance that your talkers have experienced other classes where they felt free to talk, so they feel perfectly free to chat away in yours. This group will apologize to you, after you apply the solution you'll find in part three.
I'm special!
I teach at an “Athletic” (most expensive) level Life Time Fitness in an affluent suburb of Minneapolis. A trip through the parking lot will confirm that my typical participants are very well to do. It's common for me to reassuringly pet the dash of my humble Mazda3, as I park between $100k S Class Mercedes, 6 and 7 series BMW's, Lexus', Audi's, Land Rovers and Escalades on Thursday mornings.
Some people of “means” can act – how should I say it? – a bit entitled. I'm sure you've met a few people like this. They (if you ask them) feel that because they are spending a lot of money to be a member, they expect to be able to do pretty much whatever they damn well please. When you make general comments about riding quietly, these folks don't think it applies to them > does that sound familiar to you?
My experience is that these are the people who get mad if you confront them directly > “how dare you!” They are also the group who will pull rank and complain to management, if you don't correct them properly.
I'm the leader here, not you!
A few years ago I wrote this post; Two Places Where Democracies Don’t Work.
The concept of a democracy; social groups where everyone works together, contributes equally and respects the needs of others sounds good… but rarely works out well in the real world. I can’t think of better places to demonstrate this than in your class or on an outdoor group ride. Both these collections of people require a leader… or chaos ensues.
There are members who will purposefully challenge your authority as the leader of your class.
You may have experienced this at some point in your teaching career. Maybe it was some participant in the back row holding court with those sitting around him. The effect is disrupting to your class and it may have irritated, if not angered you.
I view a large part of this as simple disrespect, but sometimes it’s not. It may be helpful to look at it a different way; the disruptive student may be trying to assert themselves as leader of your class.
At the time I got some grief on Facebook about that post. So before you dismiss the possibility (“this never happens John!”) that there are members who are trying to take control away from you, I'd like you to think back and see if anything like this has ever happened to you…
- That gal who talks endlessly with whoever is riding near her – while she looks straight at you? She maybe testing you, waiting for your response.
- That guy who's in the front row defiantly doing his own thing? No question about it. You might catch him watching in the mirror to see if anyone will follow his movements, instead of yours.
- That jerk who's always late. He strolls in and takes his sweet time getting set up front & center. He's trying to take control of your class by distracting everyone. The “LOOK AT ME!” narcissists of the world live to try and tear down others in authority.
- “I hate this song!” Ever had some A**hole who complains or criticises you publicly? There are insecure people in the world who are intent on pulling you down, thinking it will elevate them in the eyes of others.
Your class isn't a democracy. Only you can be the sole leader in your class… if you don't protect your role as the leader, someone else could try to take it from you.
Now I hopefully have you thinking about the specific problem in your class.
Here's part three where I offer my strategies and methods for addressing/correcting each instance of when people act disrespectfully (talk) in your class.
by John | Apr 22, 2014 | Instructor Training, Leading Group Rides, Learn Leadership Skills, Master Instructor Blog
Happy Earth Day!
Spring in Minnesota is finally here and that means we can ride outside! I'm so excited to test my fitness against the hills, wind and other cyclists I ride with again!
This week begins our organized rides with the Life Time Fitness Cycle groups. I'm leading two rides this summer, both leaving from the Minnetonka Life Time Athletic Club. These rides are open to non-members, so please feel free to join us here or at any Life Time location near you.
Saturday 7:30 am is a strong “B” level, 40 mile ride. NOTE: we're still working out the parking problem and this location may change.
Sunday 8:00 am is our 30 mile coffee ride into Minneapolis. Amy and I lead this on The Bus (our tandem) and we control the pace, so it's a safe ride to learn group skills.
That group on Saturday has a lot of “A” type people with strong personalities. They really need a strong Leader or chaos and broken bikes/bodies can result. I've been leading group rides for close to 20 years and I feel I learned from the very best. You can read about being the “Big Dog” outdoors ICI/PRO members only – where I discussed the need for a true leader in an outdoor group ride and how to be the Big Dog.
Man or women, it doesn't matter – only that you act as the Leader. If you have the opportunity to lead a group this summer, and you want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience, you may find that post helpful.
With Saturday only 4 days away, I've been polishing up my “Big Dog” talk I give at the beginning of the season. The purpose is to convey the behaviors and attitudes I expect from the riders in my group so we all get home safely. I decided to give it a catchy title:
The 10 Commandments* of Outdoor Group Cycling
Commandment #1 – Thou shall honor thy Leader.
A safe, enjoyable group ride needs one Leader. It maybe me, or someone else who's been assigned to lead that day. As group Leader we are responsible for everyone on the ride and intend to bring them all safely home.
Now I understand that you may have come from a place (your work or business) where you're the Leader, but you aren't there now – you're here, riding with us today.
We enjoy having you on this ride with us. Please be OK with the fact that there's a Leader on this ride… and it isn't you.
Commandment #2 – Thou shall not ride as an individual.
Please leave your ego and sense of self-importance in your car… this is a group ride, not a bunch of individuals who happen to be riding together. We work collectively as a well organised group* to ensure the safety and success of everyone.
What are examples of riding as an individual? Great question! Finding yourself alone/away/separated from the group is a good indication you're riding as an individual.
Here are a few more that come to mind; hammering off the front, chasing a rider who hammered off the front, not staying in your place in the paceline, riding off to the side, charging up from the back, sprinting to make a yellow traffic light, hammering away from a stop sign, not willing to work at the front**, not willing to help pull others back on and of course riding like an idiot. If you do any of these expect to receive a gentle warning reminder of the importance of riding as a group – keeping in mind commandment #1.
*There are multiple places (climbs and town sign sprints) during this ride where you can demonstrate your fitness to the rest of us – wait for them please.
** We completely understand if you need to sit-in and ride in the back today.
Commandment #3 -Thou shall be ready to ride on time.
The ride leaves on time. Please be ready. Don't expect the twenty other people, who were ready on time, to circle the parking lot while we all wait for you to pump up your tires. You may have gotten there 15 minutes early, which is great, but it doesn't count because you chatting with your friends, only to realize your tires were flat as we all started to leave.
Commandment #4 – Thou shall come prepared.
Did you bring everything you'll need for this ride? Do you have; spare tubes* (or sealant if you ride tubeless), tools, CO2, proper clothing, food, water, money? Did you eat before the ride? Pee?
*Many of us are happy to help you change your flat tire… just don't expect my tube 🙂
Commandment #5 – Thou shall not talk excessively – but shall communicate.
Talking excessively leads to heads turning and looking at the person, which leads to not watching where you're going, which leads to crashing. I've seen it happen multiple times and it always ends badly. There is a slight exception to this during two-up riding during a relaxed coffee ride – just resist the temptation to make eye contact with the rider you're riding next to and watch where you are going.
Please communicate with others: point out holes/sticks/dead animals in our path or when your time at the front has ended. Call out; danger, changes in speed & direction, slowing/stopping/turning/on-your-left, flat, etc…
Commandment #6 – Thou shall not join a group beyond your level of fitness, comfort or skill level.
This is a no drop ride… which means if you are suffering to keep up, all of us have to slow down – or at the very least, one of us will be forced to drop back and ride slowly home with you. We really don't want to have to do that.
We ride in a paceline = wheel to wheel with a very small distance in between. If you aren't comfortable riding closely with others you won't experience the benefit of the draft = you'll suffer and we'll have to slow down for you.
If you find yourself in this situation, or are unsure what group level you belong, please ask. I'm happy to help.
Commandment #7 – Thou shall be willing to be the leader – small “L”.
There will be times you will find yourself riding in front of everyone else – it's very important to the order of the group that you stay relaxed and calmly assume your role up front.
A typical situation were we see riders unwilling to be the leader: You are moving up as riders rotate off the front of our paceline. With just a few riders left ahead you panic and pull left to fall back. This creates a gap in our paceline, splitting it in two. The (very surprised) riders behind you are then forced to fight to close the gap – we don't like to have to do that. When you are given the lead position, take it – even if it's only for a short time.
Commandment #8 – Thou shall not pass the leader.
The leader (again small “L”) in this instance is whomever is ahead of you. It doesn't matter if the rider you are following is first, 10th or 21st, only on rare occasions is it proper to pass them. This is a huge safety issue. We all need the freedom to maneuver quickly to the right or left. Passing begins with over-lapping wheels. If you decide to pass me, at the same time I have to veer left – someone is getting hurt. And trust me when I say, I will do everything I can to prevent that “someone” from being me.
Commandment #9 – Thou shall not focus on your technology.
Riding with your head down, watching your power meter, may work in an indoor class – but it can be deadly on a group ride. Beyond an occasional, quick check of your speed, a group ride is not the place to monitor your heart rate, current/average wattage or check the temperature on your Garmin. You need to keep your head up and continuously watch that wheel ahead of yours + what's happening around you. And no, you can't talk/text on your iPhone during the ride.
Commandment #10 – Thou shall not ride junk.
You may own an expensive road bicycle. But if it has an issue during the ride, that's related to a lack of maintenance or inappropriate equipment, it's junk and we'll be really unhappy with you. Example: sew-ups/tubulars make great racing tires, but you can't fix a flat on the side of the road, so they don't belong on our ride.
Your fancy Triathlon bike is welcome – just don't let me see you riding down in the aerobars… not even when you're up front… not ever during our ride.
Mountain bikes don't belong in a paceline with road bikes – period. I don't care if you can keep up, they're disruptive to the order of our group and remembering commandment #2, you will leave yours at home.
* To be clear, this isn't my 10 suggestions of outdoor group riding. As the ride leader I'm ultimately responsible for the safety of everyone on the ride. I try to give everyone warnings/reminders during the first few rides. After that I'm not at all afraid to ask someone to leave if I feel they are jeopardizing the safety of others – or recommend they find a different ride if they don't appear to have the necessary fitness/skill level.
by John | May 17, 2012 | Instructor Training, Leading Group Rides, Learn Leadership Skills
I suppose you could add many governments
That would be your Indoor Cycling Class and Outdoor Group Rides.
The concept of a democracy; social groups where everyone works together, contributes equally and respects the needs of others sounds good… but rarely works out well in the real world. I can't think of better places to demonstrate this than in your class or on an outdoor group ride. Both these collections of people require a leader… or chaos ensues. I suppose we could actually include any type of class with students. Many of us have memories of grade school or high school substitute teachers that couldn't keep control and the resulting mayhem when one, six or all the students decided that they were in charge.
Democracies don't work in either of these situations. Well functioning groups, be it your class or out on the road, require a leader. If there's no one obviously in charge, one or more of the participants will typically try to fill the vacuum.
You may have experienced this at some point in your teaching career. Maybe it was some participant in the back row holding court with those sitting around him. The effect is disrupting to your class and it may have irritated, if not angered you. I view a large part of this as simple disrespect, but sometimes it's not. It may be helpful to look at it a different way; the disruptive student may be trying to assert themselves as leader of your class. The next time you experience this situation, consider whether or not you asserted your leadership at the very beginning. Master trainer from ICG, Jim Karanas frequently talks about centering your class as part of the warm up. Beyond getting their attention and explaining what's coming next, centering is also asserting your position as the leader of the class.
I have a confession to make, I'm a big dog 🙂
For those of you who don't know me personally, your only experiences of me are listening to the podcast or reading things I've written here, you may have the impression that I'm this easy going, can't we all get along? kind of fellow. Please don't get this wrong, I really am easy to get along with. But put me in a group setting and I'm looking for the leader. If I don't see (or sense one), my personality is to assume leadership. I feel people who do know me will tell you that; “yes, John naturally becomes the leader.” “But it isn't because he has to be the leader and control everything.” “Its because he recognizes that the enjoyment of everyone in his Indoor Cycling class, and the safety of those riding outdoors with him depend on it.”
Many of us are moving outdoors.
I can't think about better marker of success, for you as an indoor cycling instructor, than seeing your students begin riding outdoors. The natural transition for a new rider is to begin solo and then ride as part of a group. A big part of cycling can be the same social interaction found indoors. Then there's the appeal of participating in a large event fundraiser event like the MS150, a local century or some other fun ride. Groups riding outdoors, require leaders to be successful and safe.
Jim Karanas and I recorded a new Podcast episode that will be published this weekend. In it Jim describes the horror of what happens when things go wrong, while riding outdoors. And I share my experience where I needed to be the big dog, during day one of a brand-new cycling club connected to a local bike shop. The purpose isn't to create a bunch of drama, rather our interest is in helping you understand the responsibilities you may have leading your own group rides. I'm also working on a number of suggestions that I feel will help you be successful, as the leader (dare I say The Big Dog) of an outdoor ride.
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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