“Each one of you has the ability to do the unthinkable,” Ian Bowen said. “I’m not special, I’m just a regular person … If I can do it, you can, too.” (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)
Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools
Ian Bowen, a life and success coach and the founder of the Positive Persistence and RINSE Method, spoke to Sheridan Middle and High Schools students on Tuesday, Sept. 9. His story of resilience and perseverance motivated the young adults in the crowd as he spoke about changing your mindset.
Bowen became paralyzed from the waist down after a spinal surgery in 2009, and with a lot of therapy, grit, and perseverance he is now able to walk, run, and share his story with thousands of young people every day.
During his speech, he encouraged students to embrace his “Watch Me Mindset.” Essentially, in order to achieve your dreams, you need to change your mindset.
“Each one of you has the ability to do the unthinkable,” Bowen said. “I’m not special, I’m just a regular person … If I can do it, you can, too.”
He shared with those in attendance that often we defer dreams not because they are impossible, but because we aren’t dreaming big enough or prone to giving up. He broke down his method into three simple steps: Wash, Rinse, and Repeat.
Wash focused on removing the negative thoughts before they turn into limiting beliefs. Bowen compared it to pulling weeds, and in order to achieve your dreams, your need to recognize and stop the doubt before it grows too big.
Rinse was spread out into Remember, Imagine, Notice, Shift, and Expect. He shared that by remembering their strength, imagining the possibilities, taking notice of small wins, shifting the focus to what they can do, and expecting the road to be difficult, students can build upon adversity to overcome the challenges and fulfill their dreams.
The final step of Bowen’s “Watch Me Method” was Repeat. He reminded the students in the audience that in order to get better at something you have to practice. He said, “If you believe it, you will achieve it.” As he came to a close, he said, “My two options are either ‘I make it. Or, I make it.’”
As Bowen shared his story of having to relearn simple tasks, such as making a sandwich and learning to walk, he showed that progress may be slow but perseverance will lead you to victory. He left students with a final saying: “Never let someone else’s perception of your abilities become your reality.”
Sheridan Community Schools and the middle and high school students are incredibly grateful for the opportunity the Sheridan Education Foundation provided by sponsoring Ian Bowen, and to Bowen for coming to speak to impressionable young adults.
