I have just finished a physically exhausting but very mentally
rewarding stretch of work where I have been fortunate to interact and exchange
ideas with a wide range of professionals in the area of athletic development,
rehabilitation and sport coaching. As I spent the last week reflecting on the
last three months – What I saw and what I learned, I came back to something I
wrote in one my first blogs in 2005, it is my personal manifesto. I thought I
would share an expanded and updated version it to provide you with an understanding of where I am coming
from and frame my ideas:
Innovate – Lead do not follow. Look at old ideas and
concepts with new eyes. Operate on the edge, constantly search for a better
way.
Educate – Share ideas and be a sustained positive influence
on how those I teach think act and feel.
Change the World – Lofty but each of us have the
responsibility to make our own world better. I define the world as my world,
what I can directly control and directly influence.
Define the Field of Athletic Development – Athletic Development
is coaching and coaching is teaching.
Values Driven – Never compromise values for money or fame
Define Myself – Do not let others define me. Stay true to my
beliefs and myself. Keep the compass oriented to true north and make sure the compass
is working.
Know what you know – Do not try to be something you are not.
A corollary to this and in some ways more important is to know what you don’t
know.
Know History – Honor and respect people and events that have
opened the doors for you and have blazed the path you walk. Recognize that you stand on the
shoulders of giants.
Enjoy the ride – Take some time to reflect and be absorbed
in the process. Take one step at a time. Enjoy success and learn from failure.
Collaborate – Find people who are willing to share, to
challenge your ideas and who have been there before.
Know your destination – Make sure there is a there, there.
Finally I will end with a quote from Martha Graham: “ Nobody
cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not
great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”