Your Job, As It Relates To… Everything
A person's level of success is often a direct correlation to their internal state
Your job (as it relates to your students) is making people feel good.
I know that some of you would disagree…
But your ability to encourage referrals and retain students is a direct result of how good you are at making people feel good.
The problem is, you can’t give someone something you don’t already have.
So, if you go into work feeling miserable – that’s what you’re giving your students.
It’s easy to dismiss this as trite psycho-babble…
And believe me, I know how hard it is to be Mr. Chipper when your inquiries and enrollments are down and you feel like you’re bleeding money everywhere.
“…your ability to ENCOURAGE REFERRALS and RETAIN STUDENTS is a direct result of how good you are at MAKING PEOPLE FEEL GOOD.”
But, choosing unhappiness is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you CHOOSE to focus on the negatives, pretty soon NEGATIVES are ALL you see.
Your internal world cannot be out of synch with your external world for long… and the other half of that equation is that the mind controls the body (thoughts control actions).
Thus, your mind soon starts to synch your actions with your thoughts and feelings. When those thoughts and feelings are negative, here’s what happens:
- You start gravitating toward negative people (and attracting them in droves).
- You start to self-sabotage (often, you can’t see this, but other people do).
- You second-guess things.
- You damage relationships.
- You give a less-than-your-best effort at work (teaching class).
…and so on.
This isn’t some feel-good-secret-law-of-attraction-mumbo-jumbo. It’s natural law, the way God wrote the rules to the universe.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
“A man reaps what he sows.”
“According to your faith will it be done to you…”
It’s inescapable… so instead of fighting universal law, abide by the rules in place and use them to your advantage.
Here’s how:
- Give 100% to your students – they deserve it.
- Be that person you’ve always looked up to and admired – deep inside, you are that person.
- Focus on the positives – it’s the only way you’ll get through challenges with your sanity intact.
- Focus first on how you can help others – your attitude is what will bring people in. People are attracted to that which makes them feel good. If you’re happy and energetic, it will really make you stand out as an instructor and people will be drawn to that.
At all times keep in mind that your job is MAKING PEOPLE FEEL GOOD.
As a prerequisite, you have to CHOOSE to feel GOOD.
Flip that internal switch, turn a corner, transform your business, and change your life.
Thanks Mike,
I needed this reminder as my job is now requiring twelve hour days six days a week. I do have to put that extra effort at night to ensure that I am up and giving the best class every night.
Jeff
In my experience, the harder you work, the more important it becomes to choose happiness.
No matter what you do, ultimately your enjoyment of the moment is your own choice.
Even when you’re working a day job you hate until you can transition into teaching full-time. :)
A fairly good article, but why do you have to bring christian mumbo-jumbo religious junk into it. Isn’t it enough to call it natural law and maybe give a few examples maybe even quote the bible but if so quote other sources of wisdom as well
Greetings,
I thought the job of new and struggling school owners was to increase revenue?
Steve, it is… but if you don’t keep students around, you won’t last long.
Joe,
Because I’m a Christian, and spiritually that’s what I rely on for guidance and wisdom.
Now, if I’d quoted Gandhi, Lao Tzu, or Buddha (which I sometimes do) you wouldn’t have batted an eye, would you?
:)
Hey Mike,
Great reminder to always keep in our minds. It is funny how people love to pick apart what you write… I guess it is just easier to do that…
Anyway, great article and it is always good to hear a positive side.
Best regards,
Jason
Yes!!! Being Dr. Feelgood is our job. I have only owned a school going on my second month. Well this doesn’t qualify me as a professional school owner, yet. However, I have been a New Car Dealership sales manager for over 12 years and in sales for over 20 years. This qualifies me for any customer service. Yes, customer service is what we do!! OUR JOB IS BEING ON STAGE AT ALL TIMES!! Life is a stage so leave your baggage (fight with spouse, bill problems, child prob., ext.) at the curb before you walk into your school or JOB!! Flip your “Happy Switch ON” and get started! Good article.
Sean Russell (Kung Fu San Soo)
Just finished reading The Science of getting Rich by Wallace Wattles for the umpteenth time and he says you must get rid of all negativity in your life. You can’t be positive about just one aspect of your life. you will be unbalanced and the negative will take over. That is the lesson I took form it this time. This is a classic published in 1910 that I highly recommend adding to your collection
And as for the religious thing. Truth is truth no matter where it comes from.
Sean,
One of the best lessons I ever read on this topic was from an article Rick Bell wrote. He talked about how Vegas performers do show after show, night after night, and how they have to perform exactly the same each time… because it’s their job.
Rick said this evoked an epiphany of sorts for him as a martial arts instructor. I agree with him completely – we do the exact same thing, in the sense that we do the same thing night after night. And, we have to “perform” regardless of how we “feel.”
In my experience instructors that get this are the ones who are most successful.
Jason,
Thanks for the kind words. I don’t mind it when people disagree with me or pick at certain elements of my posts.
Everything I write is open to discussion.
I agree with Mike on this. Even though I currently have no students, I have been learning about the power of thought through books that I have read. It is true that what you think about is what you attract. Books that has helped me understand this is a book called ife Beyond Limits:Universal guide to prosperity” by Rik Schnabel as well as “Magic of thinking Big” by David J Scwartz. Both of these books are well worth a read and have given me insight into how to control my negative thought processes.
Harry,
Agreed – the more positive the environment you create, the easier it becomes to stay in the right mindset.
Simon,
I think it’s more about the fact that you find what you’re looking for… :)
If you expect to find challenges, you’ll find them.
If you expect to have “bad” experiences, you will.
If you expect life to be a struggle, it will be.
So, controlling the what and how of your thinking is paramount to success and happiness.
i agree you have to make your students feel good. some students cant learn as fast as others, but you still have to give them cheers if there really trying. if they feel as if their not doing well they will quit. your emails have helped in my dojo, ive been open for 8 monthes now. i only have aboit 10 students but it is a small town and its growing
Who created natural law? (a religion to some) The Bible requires personal accountability, which is why it is so effective (as in truth). Natural Law; Gandhi, Lao Tzu, or Buddha don’t. The Bible works. Good article with a great reminder! (Ok, I’m done now… )
Billy,
Glad to hear it. If you want more good information on growing your school, you may want to check out the $18 a month membership at http://starting-a-martial-arts-school.com.
Bill,
Thanks for the positive words.
Give me a call sometime so we can discuss your programs.