I’m the guy in red.
Nearly everyone wants to be a better version of themselves. It’s one of the most human traits that we have. We want more money, we want more knowledge, we want more SOMETHING.
Some of us want to BE that better version and work to get there, and some of us want to appear to be that better version of ourselves.
This post is about becoming that better version of ourselves and one simple tip to get to that place.
Let me first take you to a position you and I have been in before…
Sitting in a room full of great coaches, listening to a coaching idol talk about a high level training topic, and words start coming out of the coaches mouth that you don’t understand, vectors, sternocleidomastoid (hey, the neck is complicated stuff for me).
What should you do?
Should you continue to appear to be the better version of yourself or should you take this opportunity to become the better version of yourself? At that moment you have an opportunity to improve, to become a better coach.
You just have to take that opportunity and grab it, don’t shrink from it.
Right then and there it is time to stop, and ask your questions. Get clarity (this is not an advertisement for stopping people in the middle of presentations, but at least grab them after they leave the stage).
The know it all, sits and nods, no matter the content. The want to know it all, scribbles furiously taking notes, and asking questions.
Let me take you to another scenario, another one that has happened to each of us…
One of your athletes, or another coach asks you a question about training. You may know the answer, but you might be stretching the truth a bit.
You can do one of two things, you can give the answer as you know it and appear to be correct right then and there, or you can say “I am not exactly sure, let me find that out for you”
In each scenario you can choose to appear correct, or you can choose to learn, or become smarter.
It’s a simple answer, in one case you can grow as a coach and in the other you can stay exactly where you are. It’s literally up to you.
The easiest way to become a better coach is to ask someone else for help, ask for their advice, or get their guidance. The worst case scenario isn’t that they say “no, thank you,” the worst case scenario is never asking in the first place.
Connections are Key
I would not be where I am today if I did not stop and ask the experts for their advice. It doesn’t hurt that we are living in a golden age of communication and connection.
In a matter of minutes you could get on twitter, get on facebook, or search someone’s blog and have access to the best coaches in the world. Ten years ago this was not possible.
Ten years ago I could not facebook message Glenn Pendlay on a Monday and be in his training hall learning from him on the same Saturday. Everything about coaching and being a better professional has become extremely accelerated.
Ten years ago I could not ask Coach Dos a training question in the middle of a heated game of Words with Friends, today I can do that.
Today, this is only impossible if I choose not to ask the question. You and I have no excuse for not being a better coach. You can pose as a great coach or you can be a great coach. There is absolutely no in between.
Great coaches are always looking to be better coaches. Look to be a better coach and go ask the questions to get there.
