Have you ever watched Ted Talks? They are very inspiring. If you can set aside 21 minutes to watch this very inspiring video on the powerful effects of body language, you will not regret it. There is so much we can all learn from the studies this social scientist has performed and the astounding results.
The stunning revelation is that in the test subjects, just faking it, just by pretending that they were bigger and more confident than they felt, actually caused physiological changes (such as increased testosterone and decreased cortisone) that improved how others viewed them. This happened just by going into another room and adopting a powerful and confident body language for two minutes before proceeding with a test (a job interview in this case).
Imagine the implications! When you feel that you are viewed by others in a positive way, in turn you will begin to act in more confident and powerful ways. We all know that the mind can change the body, but this proves that the body can change the mind. Simply by altering your body language to one that projects a more positive and powerful message, the mind can be altered to the point that it actually believes that you are positive and powerful! Imagine how this can translate to your role as a coach and trainer?
Applying these principles will improve our belief in ourselves as indoor cycling coaches or as personal trainers. It may bring you more clients, get you that new teaching job, help you inspire more students to adopt what you are trying to teach them, improve how you are viewed by your managers, peers and students, and in general increase your self-confidence in everything you do.
Watch the video:
I’ve watched a lot of Ted Talks, but this one in particular struck a chord with me because I’ve been where she describes herself while she was in school. Subconsciously, I didn’t believe I deserved to be where I was, even after I became a master instructor for the Spinning program! But I decided to change all that, although I had no idea I was making physiological changes as she talks about in this video. She gets pretty emotional at the end. You may want to watch it with a Kleenex!
As she says in this presentation, don’t “fake it till you make it.” Fake it until you believe it!
I’d love your thoughts on this video. I’d like to do a little more research on the subject and then write a post with the steps that you can take as an instructor and/or personal trainer to make yourself more powerful and confident.
From this day forward, analyze your own body language and ask yourself what kind of message is it giving to your students, clients, bosses, and peers. And then vow to improve it!
Some great cues here not only for us to ourselves and as instructors, but cues and positive affirmations to our participants. I immediately thought of those riders who come in and shy away on a bike in the back not believing they are a real cyclist and probably questioning whether they should or are meant to be there. It really is getting them to believe in themselves as athletes, as cyclists whether they ride outdoors or not and as a valued participant meant to be there. Excellent and well worth the time.