Coaching Soccer - Leading, Contributing and of course, Rule #6!
How much greatness are we willing to grant? How will I contribute? What will my commitment be to the task at hand? How seriously should I take myself? Can I laugh at myself and can I admit my mistakes? These are a few of the questions that Zander brings up and these are questions that I have asked myself on more than one occasion as an art teacher or coach, but also as a parent. Many times in my life these roles have intertwined and overlapped because kids need parenting whether they are yours or not.
How much greatness are we willing to grant? How will I contribute? What will my commitment be to the task at hand? How seriously should I take myself? Can I laugh at myself and can I admit my mistakes? These are a few of the questions that Zander brings up and these are questions that I have asked myself on more than one occasion as an art teacher or coach, but also as a parent. Many times in my life these roles have intertwined and overlapped because kids need parenting whether they are yours or not.
I do know that things change and meaning is made when we care enough to invest ourselves in the process at hand. When we trust in the people with whom we are working, teaching or coaching, we often gain more than what we invested. I find, like Benjamin Zander that it also helps to put yourself aside sometimes and just concentrate on the task at hand. Don’t try to lead, just try to make the opportunity available, be supportive, and see what happens. Usually, amazing things happen when we least expect them because we aren’t being super-critical, super-sensitive, or hyper-vigilant.
I really like Zander’s Rule #6: Don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously! I wish that I had know about this rule when I was younger and would ride the volleyball referee when I was coaching, or couldn’t let of go of a bad loss when I was a head women’s soccer coach, or when my son, daughter or husband would do something I disliked.
As a woman of over 45, I now “get” this rule, and find myself living within my emotional means more often than being too serious. I always assumed that this “enlightenment” came with age and that the “zen” attitude I had fostered in my midlife was something I had grown into. Now that I think about it, although this observation is somewhat true, I am finding that I have learned Rule #6 from other great people in my life who have modeled it for me.
Week 2 - Response to Jedi Master Cindi
ReplyDeleteI often forget about the parenting role teachers often take. I think this happens more for those of us that coach or run extra curricular activities. I often call my students, my kids. This idea you bring up resonates with me and is an aspect I often put on the back burner. It relates to Zander’s story of the girl throwing the starfish back. We also have to remember at times that we can’t save them all but should revel in the moments we have.
Rule #6 has always been with you, even in those trying times with outside forces. It is the realization to put it into practice that is the challenge. So, from now on, quit breaking the rules.
it's tough being ambitious and yet able to hold to rule #6. I agree, just getting older sometimes helps developing a sense of humor about all the things one use to feel was "oh so important." Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI often forget about the parenting role teachers often take. I think this happens more for those of us that coach or run extra curricular activities. I often call my students, my kids. This idea you bring up resonates with me and is an aspect I often put on the back burner. It relates to Zander’s story of the girl throwing the starfish back. We also have to remember at times that we can’t save them all but should revel in the moments we have.
ReplyDeleteRule #6 has always been with you, even in those trying times with outside forces. It is the realization to put it into practice that is the challenge. So, from now on, quit breaking the rules.