by Lorea M. Sample | Featured Contributor
Everyone is a teacher. Everyone. Some teachers are better than others, but if you think about it, it’s true. One television show that I enjoy watching from time to time is “MasterClass” on OWN. It’s a great way of depicting how our lives are one great class which others can “take” and learn invaluable lessons. Genious, right?! What many of us fail to do well is to become the best students of our own class. I call this “Mastering the Teacher”.
You know the type of person who dishes out really great advice, but doesn’t take it for themselves? Or, have you ever met a doctor or a nurse that smokes cigarettes? Yup, them….are you they?….oh. Well, if you are let me offer you something: You can master the teacher. Here’s 3 things you can do and see great results in your life if you begin implementing them today.
1. Become Self-Aware
You’re going to have a pretty tough time teaching someone else how to “be” when you don’t know how to “be” yourself. Very tough. Everyday we are evolving which is a great thing but you will not thoroughly learn the lessons of your life if you consistently fail to study yourself. This assists you in being firm in knowing who you are. The danger in being unaware of self is that when the tests and trials of life come, Cliff Notes will be insufficient. Cramming will not work. When it’s time for you to show up in your fullness and in confidence you’ll be unprepared. Knowing who you are, your likes and dislikes, strengths and understaffed areas are key. Do the “teacher” a favor and become self-aware.
2. Become Uncompromising on Your Sacred Truths
As an engineering student, many years ago, I took many physics, calculus and materials classes. Each one of those classes all had certain laws or principles that couldn’t be violated or broken in order for a theory to be plausible. Things such as the Law of Inertia, Conservation of Energy, Conservation of Mass, etc. Well, the same should hold true with the class and multiple subjects of You 101. If one of your sacred truths is to wait until you’re married before having sex, that’s something you must hold to and not compromise. If you let go of and compromise on your sacred truth(s), you are the one that has to deal with the mental, emotional, spiritual and/or physical effects of it. In order to be at peace with yourself and to protect your peace, holding to your sacred truths demonstrates discipline and the ability to practice what you teach.
3. Know That You’re a Lifetime Student of Self
Once you reach a point that you believe there’s nothing else for you to learn about yourself, is the point you begin to stunt your growth. Because we’re always evolving, our aim should be to always look for the next opportunity to learn something new. There are new roles that you take on with age such as spouse, parent, grandparent, etc, and each roles requires a new skill set that you have to learn. This puts you in a position to learn something new or expand on an existing part of yourself. Mastering the ability to quench the urge to announce that you have arrived has to occur, because after all, some of the best teachers are the best students.
Mastering the Teach is essential for everyone who is in any type of leadership position. Whether we’re aware of it or not, we’re always given an opportunity to lead and the best leader is one that can le
ad himself and lead himself well.
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Lorea M. Sample: The 411?: Grew up in Philadelphia, PA and now reside in Columbia, SC. In 2001 by a miracle, but mainly perseverance, I graduated from Clemson University and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. By day I’m an Engineer with a 10+ year career in Environmental Engineering BUT by PURPOSE I’m a Speaker & Entrepreneur in the Business of Worthiness with the mission to empower women of influence to get unstuck and accomplish more in life by UNlearning UNworthinessTM. A lot of things are learned but I help women live the UNlearned LifeTM through Speaking, Coaching, Events & Storytelling. I love kickboxing training (I’m dangerous!), running (well, kinda like jogging-walking-jogging), crocheting, participating in my local church and playing with my puppy-child, Alex, my adorable 5 year old yorkie-poo! If you wanna see how I roll on the regular, check me out on: