The Kee to Coaching: Overcoming Adversity
It's been almost a month since I've last posted, and I figured it was time to check on everybody and give you all an update. I hope that everybody's new year is off to a tremendous start and that each of you have kept up with your "New Year Resolutions"!
This season, especially the last month, have been filled with trials and tribulations. Our young team has had some growing pains. We've had a number of key players injured, we've had some players quit, and we've dealt with a few others issues that come when the ball seems not to bounce your way. We have 9 games left, and I am still confident, that we will finish the season on a strong note!
As I have grown as a man, I have realized how important it is to keep my composure when things are tough, and to embrace the ups and downs that come along. I've faced a number of obstacles over the last few months, but I haven't let them defeat me. Amazingly, It's helped develop me into a stronger and more resilient person.
Our young, Keuka Wolves team, is struggling a bit this season, but we are battling everyday to improve and to turn our season around. It sound's cliche, but we have come up with two team motto's of being "All In" each day and to also "Trusting the Process". We haven't gotten the results that we've desired, but we know that if each team member works to our fullest potential each and every day, that the wins will come.
December and January are big recruiting periods for our coaching staff, and I have had a lot of long car rides to reflect on the season and life in general. This season has been challenging, but I have developed two tactics that have helped me overcome the adversity that I have faced recently.
1. Surround Yourself with Positive People
- One of the first pieces of advice that I received as a coach, was to surround my self with great people. Coaching is a tough profession, and each season has it's own challenges. I have always been blessed to have tremendous people in my life. As much adversity as I and my team have faced, it helps to have family, friends, and co-workers who are good people and whose positivity can help uplift you, at moments when you may be down. I have a number of people who I can have deep conversations with and who can help keep me on the right path. When you surround yourself with the right people, they have the ability to hold you accountable, along with the ability to change your perception on a situation that may initially seem negative.
2. Evaluate the Situation and Come Up With Solutions
- It's not always easy to take responsibility for your actions, when things don't go the way you envision. Bad things happen to good people and good coaches, but when you come with a positive approach to each day, things tend to work out in your favor. As a leader, my players look to me and Coach Phillips and we have to be ready to show up and help them develop each and every day. As a coach, you are constantly teaching life lessons, and you can't have a bad day.
It is also important not harp on why or how things went wrong, but instead figure out a way to have it never happen again. You may not be able to easily or instantly fix the problem, but it's imperative to come up with a plan to eventually correct the mistakes. Complaints are useless, so I try to work hard each day to find a way to be successful, regardless of the challenges faced.
