The second year of being a full-time coach is like a lot of things you do for the second time around…a whole lot less scary.
At this time last year I was a hot mess of nerves, anticipation, and the feeling of needing to prove myself at every turn. While the perfectionist in me isn’t going anywhere, I have found a great deal of peace in knowing how things work this second time around. Of course, it helps a great deal that I have a great team and a great mentor as a head coach to guide me on this journey.
This year I am able to focus my efforts less on everything that was new last year (because EVERYTHING was new last year) and more on what I love about coaching- the athletes.
This past weekend my head coach said to me “nothing makes me happier than when the athletes start coming to YOU first to talk about their problems.” While he was being a little bit tongue in check, it was a compliment that really stuck with me. I have earned their trust. I have proven myself to them as a resource of knowledge- and that is really awesome!
However, if running has taught me anything, it is to never become complacent. To me as a coach this means to never stop striving for improvement. Coaching is a position of power and authority. It can be easily abused, and easily taken for granted. Too many people rest on their laurels. They are resting on some blink of success in their past, and never continue to grow and learn.
However, as this year unfolds I am excited to begin digging deeper with the questions. Instead of worrying about the surface level details, I can start to get to the core of what makes people successful and happy athletes.
These woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
At this time last year I was a hot mess of nerves, anticipation, and the feeling of needing to prove myself at every turn. While the perfectionist in me isn’t going anywhere, I have found a great deal of peace in knowing how things work this second time around. Of course, it helps a great deal that I have a great team and a great mentor as a head coach to guide me on this journey.
This year I am able to focus my efforts less on everything that was new last year (because EVERYTHING was new last year) and more on what I love about coaching- the athletes.
This past weekend my head coach said to me “nothing makes me happier than when the athletes start coming to YOU first to talk about their problems.” While he was being a little bit tongue in check, it was a compliment that really stuck with me. I have earned their trust. I have proven myself to them as a resource of knowledge- and that is really awesome!
However, if running has taught me anything, it is to never become complacent. To me as a coach this means to never stop striving for improvement. Coaching is a position of power and authority. It can be easily abused, and easily taken for granted. Too many people rest on their laurels. They are resting on some blink of success in their past, and never continue to grow and learn.
However, as this year unfolds I am excited to begin digging deeper with the questions. Instead of worrying about the surface level details, I can start to get to the core of what makes people successful and happy athletes.
These woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.