Winning Starts with the Power in Words
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811

“Never give in.  Never give up.  Never, Never. Never!”  I find these words helpful, especially when thinking about the challenges ahead.  The words are not spoken enough.  Almost invariably, these words help to motivate and sustain us.  It is now clear that they are not new words.  But, it is often unclear how the words actually drive us to stay the course. 

Most of us have heard the statement that, “Knowledge is power.”  But, of course, knowledge is a composition of words and, therefore, words give us power to do things, to persist, and to not give up.  It’s important to remember that emotions are linked to words.  Note this point in the sentence, “Before you leave, think of what you are doing.  There will be consequences.”  The implications of one’s actions and the consequences thereof are understood.

The biochemistry of “Never Giving In” and “Think About it” is real.  Our minds react to the emotions linked to the words that result in certain behaviors and feelings, good and bad.  In fact, when most of us hear the words “Take Action” instantly our minds begin racing for identifiable possibilities.  The internal dialogue that takes place within our minds and hearts often results in being flexible yet determined to succeed.

What all this leads to is a simple, inescapable fact.  Those of us who never give up produce positive results that are directly linked to the power of the words that, perhaps, only our inner person understands.  We can all connect with this power by simply unleashing the magic within words.  In fact, just imagine the greatness that comes from a person’s “passion” to realize a dream.  It is consuming and energizing; it is the difference between those who make it and those who don’t.

“Belief” is another powerful word.  It’s often a person’s belief that sets the course of events.  Our beliefs define us and, in fact, either they open our minds and point us in a certain direction or they shut us down.  The power of a belief is awesome!  Remember this very important point, “If we believe we can or can’t, we are right.”  Often, belief precedes strategy.  The word “strategy” itself is a mental statement that declares a way or method, if not, the key to realizing one’s goals. 

No one enjoys being powerless.  The way around it is through words.  It’s possible to enjoy one’s power through the right handling of words that enable a mental state of confidence and inner strength.  In fact, almost everything we accomplish is directly related to what is happening within us.  Words condition our minds and literally set in motion behaviors to direct and control our actions. 

People who have achieved positive results understand, as Anton Chekhov said, “Man is what he believes.”  Before writing more, the question before the reader is simply this:  “Do you believe the American Society of Exercise Physiologists is the professional organization of exercise physiologists in the United States?”  Also, do you believe that the ASEP organization is the birth of the 21st century exercise physiology? 

My point here is that the letters, not a word per se, ASEP, are rather a miraculous happening in the United States, given the lack of support by so many academic exercise physiologists.  They have totally changed the state of exercise physiology, and its potential for effectiveness in healthcare via the prescription of exercise as medicine.  This, itself, the belief in ASEP, a small organization is equal to a force of thousands of members with an interest in other organizations.

Far too long exercise physiologists have been disempowered.  Without their own guiding beliefs, they didn’t even develop decades ago their own code of ethics.  It is truly a sad picture of failed resources.  Beliefs have power, but without beliefs there is no power or awareness.  The failure is so great that it is overwhelming at times to think about. 

So again, the purpose of this brief article is never forget, as Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “never given in.”  Similarly, “never give up” thinking better things about exercise physiology from the ASEP perspective.  Never, never, and never stop believing in new and viable career opportunities made possible through the new ASEP professional infrastructure. 

ASEP leaders know the path to success.  They have taken the right measures to realize success, and they have the desire and flexibility to do whatever is necessary to be successful as healthcare professionals.  Their thoughts and collective mindset are organized for a reason and a purpose and that is to insure the future of exercise physiology in the United States.  The leaders understand there are limitations and challenges.  Yet, they have taken the responsibility on.  They know that ASEP, as the professional organization of exercise physiologists, is responsible for doing what it has declared important to do.

The power in the title, ASEP, is the same kind of power that comes from words.  It engenders commitment and, therefore, a willingness to walk the walk.  The power comes ultimately from your brain and the mental picture that is created by it in regards to ASEP.  Perhaps, this point is too little understood and needs clarification.  It is this:  Words are created from within the mystery of the brain.  The images and feelings that associate with words direct our actions and give rise to our success.  Hence, the brain is the ultimate source of power, and all you have to do is use it accordingly.

Just as winning is said to start with the first step, words represent the force to take the step.  Words convey the reason why and how to in the change process.  This certainly shouldn’t come as a surprise.  Words connect us or, at least, the right words connect us.  The wrong words can divide us and diminish what we are or can become.  The trick is to think right and use the right words, especially those congruent with what exercise physiologists’ value and believe to be important for credibility, recognition, and acceptance.

The present conditions of the established healthcare professions have a direct relationship to their “goals.”  The fact that exercise physiologists have not had written goals prior to the founding of the ASEP organization in 1997 means that they have failed in understanding the power in the word, “goal.”  Yet, this is exactly the investment in mental thinking that is necessary for success. 

Try developing a picture of exercise physiology in 20 or 40 years from now.  When you can see the results of your work, when you can feel the outcome of your dreams, and when you can believe what you are seeing, then “believe” that the clear message your mind is sending to you is a composite of knowing the outcome, taking action, and being flexible to realize the dream.  The key is the power in words that gives power to your thinking.

In view of this point, perhaps, the following sentence will make sense.  “Where there are no goals, there is no future or hope.”  Maybe this is also a good time to bring into this brief article the power in the words of the, “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if an exercise physiologist would deliver a similar speech before all those who feel they are second class citizens? 

Words are powerful and, yes, they are magical.  The same mental process works with a placebo.  Moreover, think about this, recently, I heard a CEO of a major company say, “With regard to all medications, the benefit to the patients is on the order of 10% better than a placebo.”  This is a major breakthrough in arguing for the power within each of us to render our best thinking in favor of our desired results.  That is, if we would only stop limiting our true potential by either negative thinking or indifference.

Exercise physiologists can do what they want to because they have already done it.  ASEP exists, and it has enabled actions and feelings that were not possible before 1997.  Exercise physiologists needed their own professional organization, and now they have it.  They needed their own code of ethics, accreditation, board certification, web presence, electronic journals, and much more, and now they have all of them and, yes, more. 

No matter, some may wish to stay as they have been for decades, at least now there is an alternative.  The way to enlist “change” is to think differently.  It doesn’t matter if you have an undergraduate degree or a doctorate degree, making a difference is a powerful medicine.  Think about someone you really like, but isn’t doing all that well with his own guidance.  Offer him “hope” and opportunity of something better and see what expression comes across his face.  Then, read him the following quote by Theodore Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Note the simplicity in Roosevelt’s words.  Why not link yourself to them, one by one?  “Do what you can….”  In other words, if you can do one thing, then do it.  If you can do more than that, then do it.  “…with what you have….”  Forget (i.e., get over) the fact you don’t have everything you think you need to get started.  Pick up what you have and figure out how to use it.  Forget about perfection, imperfection is just fine when it leads to a better way.  “…where you are….” is a statement of major importance, meaning “do it now.”  Don’t wait regardless of all those things that weigh important enough on your mind to stop you.

It’s crucial to be aware of doing it now with whatever resources you may have.  Just do it or otherwise not doing anything will insure that you will continue getting what you have always gotten.  So, don’t give it to the pressure to not act.  Lower your center of gravity, widen your base, and secure your state of mind for writing your own passport into the future.  Just imagine how many people’s lives you will be helping even if they don’t know it right now. 

Hence, may your values give direction to your life, and may your words empower you and others who look to you.  Think about the dream and the life of exercise physiologists if they embrace the ASEP vision with passion.  Think of the smiles on the faces of students when they graduate knowing they will find a great job with huge possibilities, both in helping others and in securing the future of their families.  The power lies in your words to change what is to what can be.  It’s your power, may you use it to benefit everyone who believes that exercise is medicine and that exercise physiology is a healthcare profession.

As professionals, we need to acknowledge the power in our words, and how they crystallize our thoughts and give up reason for hope.  This is also why exercise physiologists need to speak with purpose and passion.  If show others we have the backbone, they come to understand that they too can have backbone.  All we have to do is focus on our vision and our commitment to the members of ASEP and do everything conceivable and more to insure our work is impeccable and meaningful.  We have the power; all we have to do is use it.

In fact, one of the most significant characteristics of a leader is to share his or her thinking with colleagues.  Sharing in the form of writing is to share one’s more precious feelings through words in the written form, as in an article.  Why not help ASEP accomplish its goals by writing an article for PEPonline to share your enthusiasm for our collective professional vision?  Your article can make the difference between someone acting on the vision or merely reading it.  And, as Joel Barker said, “Vision and action can change the world.” 

This is no small thing you are encouraged to do.  Imagine for a moment, you can change the world of exercise physiology as we have known it for decades.  All you need to do is make it happen.  The truth is you have the right to succeed.  It is O.K. to write about wanting to be successful, it is O.K. to work to be the primary profession that oversees the application of exercise as medicine, and it is O.K. to want to be paid a decent salary for doing so. 

Also, in this regards, Michael Korda said, “Desire, determination and a good sense of timing are the common denominators of success….”  It helps to have a professional organization and members who believe they are exercise physiologists with the desire and determination to be terrific healthcare professionals.  No matter how you may want to think about it, these are powerful words, and nothing succeeds better than members speaking (or writing) the right words. 

The first rule of success is getting others involved.  Collectively the power of words is far greater with everyone involved in doing something, and especially when everyone has the same dream.  Why not dare to write an article or speak at an ASEP national meeting.  Dare to try ASEP, to take a risk, and to grow in exercise physiology.  Dare to experience the power in the words, “To be successful, one must rise to the occasion.”  Doing so breathes hope into enhancing self-worth and the desire for one’s rightful place in healthcare.