Hi Dr. Rosie,

I am doing great! The number of students attending my yoga classes is slowly increasing. I have two classes now. One is completely filled and when we chant OM in unison it’s just a beautiful feeling! Everyone is enjoying it.

I think the biggest thing I have achieved is that I got my professors to join my classes and reap the benefits. They are realizing that they have been neglecting their health after getting caught in their daily routines. As they are becoming more aware they are becoming more committed to getting fit and staying fit.

I have one thing to ask you, Dr. Rosie: How do I keep my students motivated to be regular attendees in my classes; one for the reason to obtain the benefits (which of course comes only when one is regular) and secondly to have a regular flow of income for myself? Will you throw some light on this issue please?

Thanks once again!
Usha

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Dear Usha,

I’ve so enjoyed our correspondence and hearing how you are progressing from just a dream of having a successful practice as a yoga teacher to having your classes full! I want to acknowledge you for stepping forward, courageously in order to make this happen for yourself. You are empowering and inspiring to many people by you example.

Speaking of being empowering and inspiring. . . . To me, these are two of the ways of being that will support you in having your students return regularly to you and your classes. But before I go there directly I have a few questions to ask you.

How did you get so many students in your classes so quickly? What did you do to make that happen? How have you been being in your life that has created such an invitation that people, even your professors are attending?

You see, you are being an invitation and it’s important to get clear how you are being that invitation! What is it about you, Usha that is drawing people to you and your classes? These are important question to answer, because this will be what you want to continue to be and to do.

There isn’t just one thing that’s going to work for everyone, because everyone is looking for what is going to be fun, or challenging, or spiritual, or easy, or playful, or . . . . Seeing what you offer as Usha and the type of classes you’ve created will give you a heads up on what’s working. You can ask your students “Hey, what’s having you come back, and what will have you come more regularly?” This lets them know that you are committed to giving them what works for them. This is actually another key to success in keeping clients; when you actively engage with them, letting them know that you are glad they are in your life and you want to keep them in your life, people will keep coming back. Cultivating personal relationships with every one of your students will support long and sustained connection.

I’ll be going to a yoga classes later this morning. The reason I go to this particular class is that I love the teacher, I trust her, I feel safe with her, and the class is only an hour long, which is perfect for that part of me that doesn’t want to go at all! Yoga is so good for me, and, at the same time, I whine and complain about how hard it is. So, that Zahra offers a one hour class at noon on Tuesday is perfect for me! She offers longer and more challenging classes but I’m not yet motivated or inspired enough to get to these. Maybe some day!

Another thing that is so important is that you feel passionate about what you do. People love to be around passionate people who love what they do. It’s contagious! It’s inspiring! It’s so much more fun being around passionate people who are doing what they love then being around people who just go through the motions and are in it for something other than the pure joy that comes with doing what they love to do.

Something I mentioned earlier is that you are empowering your students to generate the benefits that come with attending yoga classes regularly. Empowering people is an important skill to develop. Yoga, like coaching requires people to stretch themselves, to reach into challenging places that can be uncomfortable. Learning to relax into poses is not fun but it is necessary and rewarding when we reap the benefits of our efforts.

Empowering people to empower themselves is a mixture of cheerleading and of fierce compassion; making things fun and remaining intentional and committed to having them get the results they’ve come for. Your students will feel supported and challenged. This is a very good thing.

Along with empowering your students is recognizing and acknowledging them for their courage, their efforts and their successes. None of us get enough recognition and acknowledgement in our lives. They are like great big hugs that mean so much! Tell your students as often as you can that you see them doing the best they can and that you also see the difference its making.

All of these ways of being, Usha are so simple yet rarely considered essential in any business practice, but they are. They are essential not only in our business life but also in our family life, in our friendships and communities. Living a passionate, inspiring and engaging life is a wonderful invitation for people to join you in all aspects of life.

Congratulations for bringing about success in your practice so quickly. Again, I want to acknowledge you for the commitments and steadfastness that you’ve demonstrated in just the past few months. You are an inspiration and a role model for all of us. Thank you!

Blessings,
Dr. Rosie

I would love to hear from others of you who are reading this column. You can email me privately if you’d like at: rosie@dr-rosie.com

www.drrosie.com                                                                                                                         
rosie@dr-rosie.com                                                                                                                   
Book: Self-Empowerment 101

Ever gone into a room and while the meeting is going on you find people checking Blackberrys. And then when you are talking, the ringer goes off. They apologize but the damage is already done.

Here are some common ethics of using Blackberry:

1. Just because you have one, doesn’t mean you have to check in every 30 secs. You can put it down when in meetings, family dinners or even when you are exercising. Don’t sleep stuck to it.

2. When in conversation, don’t look away and start typing at your Blackberry. The person in front of you is simply ignored by this behavior. You need to excuse yourself politely if something important comes up.

3. With the voice recording, FB app and Twitter, you can be overwhelmed by constantly trying to use this. Put time aside and do all your social media management…or prioritize what you want to do. It is distracting and this distraction spills into your life.

Reality TV driving Reality….
Cynthia Schneider looks at two international “American Idol”-style shows — one in Afghanistan, and one in the United Arab Emirates — and shows the surprising effect that these reality-TV competitions are creating in their societies.

Click here to view the embedded video.

LEADERSHIP & CRITICS

One of the challenges for anyone dedicated to expressing their leadership best is dealing with the chattering voices of naysaying critics. As a matter of fact, the more brightly you shine in your work and the more quickly you innovate and the more excellent you become, the more foulmouthed critics you will attract. It’s just part of the game. Emerson said it brilliantly: “Great people are always misunderstood.”

Here some key insights to help you fly in your career (and within your life), in the face of criticism:

#1: To lead is to often be unpopular. Leadership isn’t a popularity contest. Leadership is about having the bravery to do what’s right versus what’s easy. That attracts criticism. Why? Because people don’t like change. And they don’t want to change. To truly lead is to disrupt the way things were-and are (in an effort to make things better). And rather than having the openness and courage to embrace the change, most people would rather shoot the messenger, in an effort to preserve the status quo.

#2: Critics Can Serve You. Sometimes, there is some truth to what your critics are saying. Smart leaders have the intelligence to discern the difference between the misguided ramblings of those seeking to knock them down and negative feedback that has truth beneath it. Each of us can get to a whole new level of excellence by improving our weaknesses.

#3: You Can Create More Value Amid Your Critics than With Your Fans. Yes, moving your closely cherished vision/mission/ideals/goals forward in the face of people throwing stones (or even simply laughing) at you is hard work. But, ultimately, doing what you believe to be right/good/important surrounded by critics is more valuable than doing all that alongside your supporters. Why? Because the critics are resisting what you are trying to change. And if you can positively influence them (even a few of them), then you’ve advanced your mission much more significantly that preaching to the convert

Women across the world are on to an online revolution – As a result, the workplace will never look or feel the same. Everywhere there are evidences that the CHANGE has begun…what it will become – is something will be shaped by women who are building new, restoring old and nurturing their existing relationships predominantly online and offline.

Here are some groundbreaking trends:

1. Social Networking – a competitive advantage – Women are using social networks more effectively – Linkedin networking has become popular among women. Who says we don’t professionally NETWORK among each other. Facebook is connecting women who are friends all across the world. They are now back in touch with old friends who are probably working in industries and companies across the globe. Even the gaming industry, found that women who are 35+ years old are playing more games online. Who could ever imagine that? What happened to the image of a 18 year old male teenager with the console, sitting in front of the screen playing video games!!!

“Social Media reaches “empowered women” : 42% of these women were reported visiting social media sites like Facebook or LinkedIn, according to a new Forrester report (MediaPost). Twitter US demographics: 53% female, these stats show more heavy weighting in 18-34 age group (quantcast). This is becoming the NEW ONLINE VILLAGE.

2. Internet Careers – Women are moving away from traditional ways of making a career. With internet and globalization, women are pursuing their passion for arts. This includes painters musicians and designers. They are learning to leverage the social networks like zazzle, eBay and other niches sites to set up a store and sell online.

Some women have been able to leave their corporate jobs and made a career from their passion of sharing their experience with others. They have become key influencers and bloggers. They have created a community around topics of shared interest.

3. Online MOM Gets ahead – Working mothers are getting ahead in their careers by taking online courses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in ten families in America is headed by a single parent. In five out of six cases, this parent is the mom. On top of this, only one in twenty single moms earn more than $75,000, and the picture becomes clear.

The number of scholarships awarded to mothers taking online courses have been increasing. This means moms don’t have to wait for their children to grow up to start building a career of their dreams.

Welcome to the new era!