(This post is inspired by my friend Jason Freeman, who is an awesome professional speaker and an all-around great guy.)
Your subconscious mind is an amazingly powerful thing.
As we go through our day, we are continually bombarded with images, messages, and sounds, of which very few are deliberately designed to support or encourage us.
Unless we've developed strategies to filter out the "bad" stuff, or replace it with "good" stuff, most of what we experience through our physical senses is usually affecting us less-than positively.
So what can we do about it?
Well, a couple of weeks ago, my friend JT turned me on to The Subliminator.
It's this really cool (free) app that lets you listen to affirmations while simultaneously listening to your itunes, and then you can dial down the audio level of the affirmations so that you can't detect them behind the music. It comes pre-loaded with a variety of affirmations in both male and female voices, and you can even record them in your own voice.
And while we are both having a blast experimenting with how we can apply this new tool in our daily lives, we both started thinking up creative ways that we could use The Subliminator on our kids! (Evil geniuses, right?)
What an awesome way to instill positive self-talk and encouragement into their unsuspecting little minds, without them even knowing it!
Now JT made up some really cute little affirmations for his kids, like "I am really good at math", and "I am calm and relaxed while taking tests", which he says is having the desired affect, but I decided to take a slightly different route with my daughter...
As a matter of fact, she just finished washing my car, taking out the trash, doing her homework, feeding the animals, unloading the dishwasher, and cleaning her room! And all with a smile on her face and love in her heart!
Okay, I'm kidding. So I didn't actually brainwash my daughter, but it really got me thinking about who IS brainwashing her? I mean, do I really want Sponge Bob and iCarly to be the primary influences and teachers in my daughter's life?
But the truth is, our kids ARE being strongly influenced by what they see, hear, and feel in their worlds. And it's up to us to be sure that we are countering all the stuff they take in that doesn't support them, while working to shape and guide them in ways that will encourage and empower them.
And that got me thinking about my own responsibilities as a teacher. Not just in my role as a father, but also as a businessman, a friend, and as a leader. It reminded me of a quote that I heard from Loral Langemeier that said, "If I don't teach you, who will?"
She wasn't coming from a space of arrogance, but rather she was describing her privilege and responsibility she has to share what's she's learned for the benefit of others.
And isn't that the real goal? To pass along our wisdom and knowledge for the greater good?
Each of us shows up on the planet with unique gifts, experiences, and knowledge that the rest of the world needs to hear. You are a mentor and a role model. Please do your part.
If you don't teach it, who will?
Until next time, be creative!
J. Shoop
www.coachshoop.com
J. Shoop, is a professional coach, speaker, and author of "The Other Secret". His latest work is featured in the new book by Greg S. Reid, titled "Off The Coast of Zanzibar".
His mission in life is to inspire, educate, and help others to become consciously aware of their unlimited potential for greatness. For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.
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