Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alan S Questel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alan S, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Two things really influenced writing my book, Practice Intentional Acts of Kindness…and Like Yourself More. The first came out of a workshop I was creating about self-image. I began to think that our self-image was a reflection of how much we like ourselves or don’t like ourselves. After some time I thought, this is my job…to help people like themselves more. The more I taught this idea the more I realized how fundamental it is to all of us. Many ask, what about loving ourselves and I say that is really important but let’s begin with something a little more possible for us all. In my work as a Feldenkrais Practitioner I guide people through gentle movement sequences and I started to introduce the idea of moving in a way that you like the way it feels. This became the back door to influence our self-image to grow to like ourselves more. I later understood it was an idea that could be utilized in our everyday lives as well. After all, who doesn’t want to like themselves more?

The second big influence was when my father, late in life developed dementia and we had to put him in a home. It was a pretty nice place and he was comfortable there, but it was in Florida and it was in June. All of his friends and family would all leave Florida in the summer and head to New York. He would be all alone, in a new place, with no to visit him (I was living in California at the time). My dad and I were never really close, we had an okay relationship, but no more that. I got it in my head to start to call him everyday. It was usually just for a few minutes, but I did it, to give him some sense of connection. And it wasn’t easy! I did that for 3 years and it turned out to be one of the most important actions of my life. That simple, albeit challenging, act of kindness taught me more than I ever could have imagined.

Kindness, like liking ourselves more is something we all desire and need.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was an actor and I hurt my back (I had a small interior contracting business in NYC). I tried different things that didn’t really help my back until I came upon the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education. And voila! My back pain was gone. But there was more. I began interacting in the world differently. I was less angry and even more important I realized that the contracting work I did was something I really did not like doing! And…I was really moved by my experiences with the Feldenkrais Method. I thought this might be something I could do while still pursuing acting! I studied with Dr. Feldenkrais and his associates for 4 years and my life has taken a direction I never could have imagined. I now train others to become Feldenkrais Practitioners worldwide. I have created numerous recorded workshops on different topics to help others like themselves more, as well as a video program for pregnant women, to be more comfortable throughout their pregnancy. And two books, one on creativity and the other on kindness and liking yourself more. What has given me the greatest satisfaction is when some have whispered in my ear…I like myself more now!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Everyone is working to create a bigger audience on social media. Most courses or books pretty much give the same advice. Often the things ‘to do’ are not very inspiring and can even feel like a drain on our creativity. I have found there are 3 things that are most important to maintain and grow a social media presence.

1. Perseverance! Keep doing what you have to do…no matter what! Sometimes this means differentiating our feelings from our actions. You may not feel like doing it and you can do it anyway. Don’t ignore your feelings…let them be there and then act in another way. It will help you move forward and continue moving forward.

2. Be generous! If you have a product and you are able to, give it away. I have recordings of workshop totaling over 100 single recordings. Many years ago, I began a subscription program and I would send out one free recording every month. During Covid I was giving away 2 a week! Some thought soon I would have no market to sell my recordings to, but the opposite is what has happened. People who are interested in your product truly appreciate a ‘gift’. Of course you need to have enough product and this is something you can build, over time (see #1)

3. Be realistic! We live in a time when being viral is the standard. But honestly, it is a bit unrealistic. Can you be satisfied as an influencer of a realistic population? Does it have to be millions of people? How many people do you think an average person influences in their life? The numbers vary quite a bit, 10,000…20,000…more and that is in a lifetime. What if instead grasping to reach millions, you began with the intention to reach hundreds…and once you have accomplished that, then maybe thousands and once you have done that…sure, move on to more. Have a realistic goal will bring you more satisfaction and give you a clearer understanding of how to pursue your goals and dreams.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A book that really made a difference in my ‘actions’ was The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. He talks about 3 zones were we spend most of our time and a fourth zone where we could spend more time. This book was one of the big motivators for me to complete my second book. A book that had been in process for years, that, after reading Hendricks’ book, I completed my book in few months. I encourage you to read it to find out!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.practicing-kindness.com / www.uncommonsensing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practice.kindness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LikeYourselfBKind
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-questel-6a70842a/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LikeYourselfMor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDTccDFgeLH9K7V0HuoNLxg
• Other: tiktok
  https://www.tiktok.com/@practicing.kindness