Stepping Up And Standing Out
by Jenna Zaffino
As a long-time business owner and teacher, I am frequently asked for advice from teachers who are trying to determine where they “fit in” to the Pilates Industry. Classical or contemporary? Specialist or enthusiast? What’s the next step in my career? Given the age of individuality that we are presently experiencing in the world of Pilates, this query is not surprising. My answer, however, is always the same:
It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you choose the path that aligns with your values.
I learned this lesson through years of “trying on” various identities within the world of Pilates. First, I was the Professional Dancer who taught Pilates. Then, I was the Professional Student, obsessed with specialty trainings and buried in books. Later, I was the Studio Owner, then the Teacher Trainer, the Educator and the Conference Presenter. I enjoyed the new challenges and loved the learning experiences that came from exploring different aspects of my profession. But as I was entering the second decade of my teaching career, I began to realize that I had not quite found “it” yet. I desired to not only find satisfaction with the work I was doing, but also to achieve a level of financial success that I believed to be possible.
To determine where I might have been missing the mark in my pursuits, I embarked on a personal recall journey to uncover the driving forces behind my decision-making process. I knew that my “gut-feeling” was often the determining factor for pursuing an opportunity, but other times, my endeavors were honestly chosen with the expectations of pleasing others. I quickly realized that there was a common theme – the choices I had made based on the expectations of others never resulted in true satisfaction or financial gain while the choices that I made tha
t were in alignment with my personal values always yielded success. It was crystal clear: I could choose to fit in, or I could choose to stand out.
Initially, the choice to stand out carried with it a good deal of fear. The inner dialogue of my ego was reeling:
- “Who do you think you are to not follow the ‘normal path’?”
- “There is a limit to how much you can make as a Pilates Teacher.”
- “If you do it differently, they will say that you’re not a REAL Pilates Teacher.”
To quiet these limiting beliefs, I practiced the following affirmations:
- “I am creating solid, heartfelt work.”
- “I am worthy of making an impact in our industry.”
- “When I make money, it expands my abilities to help more people.”
Every day, I told myself these things like they were facts and as the voices of doubt quieted, I began to flesh out the details of the plan to move forward. Though this process took time to define, it ultimately came down to the following three steps:
Step One: Clarify your values and see how they align with the work you are pursuing. I used the L3 formula set forth by one of the major influencers in my professional life, Rha Goddess from Move the Crowd.
Live – What do you value? What are the values that are most important to you in life?
Love – What are you here to bring to this world? What are your unique talents or gifts?
Lead – What are you here to impact? What do you feel most called to change, create or transform?
Spending time on this formula helped me to define clear criteria for decision-making. Miraculously, saying yes or no to various opportunities has now become pleasurable, rather than painful. I know that my noes keep me from engaging with projects that will drain me and my yeses reflect the best possible opportunity for me to live, love and lead with ease.
Step Two: I call this step “Winks From The Universe.” These are signs from nature, passages in books, online posts, lyrics of a song – anything that brings me comfort that I am on the right path. Sometimes these “winks” can magnify the aspects of your query that are out of alignment with your values. It’s important to pay attention to both types. If you’re confused about the signs you are receiving, offer yourself the time and space to make sense of it. The value of letting your intuition marinate can be priceless.
Step Three: Move! Begin to move towards aligned opportunities that are being presented to you. Just do it! If you hit a roadblock in the process, return to your L3 statements. Does the opportunity reflect your values? If you are still unclear about a direction, speak the roadblock to a trusted friend or colleague and ask them to write down what you are saying and repeat it back to you. You can gain some major perspective from hearing your own words out loud. Remember that we are never stuck because if something doesn’t work out, we can always choose again. Did you hear that? If something isn’t working for you, You. Can. Choose. Again! It’s that simple.
Today, I am exactly where I am supposed to be, in exactly the role that I was meant to be in. My personal brand is the Pilates Unicorn. My core message is: “Move From The Heart.” I am a Studio Owner, Continuing Education Provider, Online Educator, Podcast Host, Friend, Wife and Mother. I am satisfied creatively as well as financially and I am consistently inspired to do more. We all need guidance as we navigate through the various stages of our careers. However, the most important guide you have resides within YOU. Remember, no matter where your path takes you, when you choose to find the heart in your work, you will always find optimal alignment with the world around you. What better field of work in which to practice alignment than the world of Pilates, right?
So, let’s get out there Guys and Gals! We’ve got work to create and an impact to make!
Jenna is an expert Pilates teacher with over 15 years of experience in movement education. Drawing from her background of professional dance, comprehensive Pilates trainings, movement studies and professional speaking, Jenna offers an experience that celebrates each individual while challenging them to expand the perceptions of what’s possible in the studio and beyond. Jenna has served as Senior Faculty for Fletcher Pilates® International, presents Arcus Education for McEntire Pilates® and also hosts a series of her own online teacher development courses. Her latest project is Pilates Unfiltered!, the industry’s newest, community-building podcast. Find out more about Jenna’s adventures in Pilates at www.jennazaffino.com