My Best Coach Is 5 Years Old
By Sandy Sommer RKC on Nov 30, 2009 in Sandy's Journal
I have a lot of coaches. I learn tons from my clients so I consider them to be coaches. I have a dead lift coach. I have a kettlebell coach. I have a life coach and I business coach. And finally, I have a son, who at 5 years old may be the most effective teacher I have.
What defines a coach? In my mind, it is a person who helps you realize your full potential and guides you to find your best path. It is quite difficult to self coach. Typically, I find it hard as all get out to look at myself objectively. That’s why I try to surround myself to those I can look up to. Folks who will tell it to me like it is and help me have that “ah ha” moment.
I’ve found that some folks avoid coaching. Being coached can be scary and some do all they can not to be accountable. Also, good coaches don’t do your work for you. They simply help you figure out the work you need to do to hit you goals. If you don’t want to get better than there is certainly no reason to be coached. I mean what would the point be? If the status quo is appealing then coaching makes no sense.
May I ask you something? Are you better off today then you were 5 years ago? Financially? Physically? Mentally? The way you look and feel?
If you’re not where you want to be then you owe it to yourself to ask why? I purposefully have tried to surround myself with folks who know more than I do. And who aren’t afraid to let me know what I need to work on. Who are you surrounding yourself with?
So you are probably wondering how my son is my most effective coach. Well, in the 5 years since he was born he has taught me much. First he’s taught me that if you give your best effort it is amazing what you can achieve. Each day, he tries his hardest and keeps having amazing results.
He’s taught me how patience is an ultimate virtue. That if you keep doing the little things over and over you create a snowball. And once that ball is rolling who knows how big it will grow.
He’s taught me how much a smile and a hug are worth. The list goes on and on.
Why do I bring all this up? Simple. I got an email today from another fitness professional asking why I would send her an email announcing my Pilot Distance coaching. To be honest, I made a mistake and she wasn’t supposed to be on the list of those that got the announcement. Still, it got me thinking….She had kind of an uppity tone…”Like I’ve been in this business for 7 years! Why on Earth would you think I need a coach??”
Please share your thoughts on comments as I’d love to hear from you on this!
7 Comment(s)
By Brett Legree on Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
I know exactly what you mean about effective coaches and needing coaches.
I am quite fortunate myself, I have a 8-year old coach and three 5-year old coaches (and believe me, triplets are pretty tough coaches…)
And then, I believe that no matter how experienced we become, there is always something new to learn, and it can be learned from anyone, anywhere.
My four little coaches have taught me that, and so much more.
By Sandy, RKC on Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
Brett,
Learning is a great thing and the more we are open to possible sources of discovery the better off we are.
Thanks for commenting!
Sandy Sommer, RKC
By Chris H on Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
Great post Sandy! So true……there is always room for improvement. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.
By Sandy Sommer, RKC on Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
That’s why I surround myself with guys like you:)
Sandy Sommer, RKC
By Brett Legree on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Sandy,
Exactly. Every day, a different way.
Thanks for having me here today
By Michael Suggs on Dec 4, 2009 | Reply
Sandy,
Love the post. I now have 2 young coaches, a 4 year old and a 2 and a half month. You nailed it when you talked about patience. You have to have it with the young ones and we can definitley learn from them. My 4 year old has made me step back and check myself on more than one occasion. Brutal honesty the little ones have.
2 thoughts – 1. you asked if you’re better off today than you were 5 years ago. One thing I’ve learned, no matter where you are, if you’re not growing or moving ahead, then you’re stagnating and getting left behind. Things change too fast in this world not to stay on top of them.
2. On that fitness “professional’s” response to your email. WOW, back to my earlier point, 7 years in the biz earns her a lot of credibility, but there is always room for learning and improvement.
By Sandy, RKC on Dec 4, 2009 | Reply
Michael,
Thanks for writing! If I don’t have more knowledge in 7 years than I do today I’ll be quite perturbed with myself LOL Just trying to get a little better eacn and every day!
Train with purpose,