You need a coach? Or a cheerleader?
I have been fortunate to only have had this happen about 3 times in the last 45 years but I have had a few athletes who were not happy with my coaching. One of these athletes ended up with three coaches.
Coach one had no idea what I was preparing this athlete for. Coach one prepared this athlete in a way I never would have. When I tried to explain what I was doing, he did not understand.
Coach Two had no idea how to game plan or help the athlete in competition. I frantically tried to give this athlete a game plan but was ignored.
If this athlete would have stuck with me they would have succeeded.
Last I saw this athlete hit the plateau they got to based on the work I gave them. There they stalled.
There there are some who begin winning and then think they have arrived. They do not realize how much I helped them. They head off on their own and usually begin losing. I put this under my “I hope I’m wrong but….” column!
Lesson? Just because you are not winning does not mean you are not succeeding. Just because you are having trouble does not mean you should abandon the hard road for an easy path. If someone is selling easy, you are hiring a cheerleader, not a coach.
A coach will take you out of your comfort zone. As one of my athletes told me, “I have to be comfortable being uncomfortable!” Very wise.
You want comfortable?
Pick a coach like that Uncle who will let you drink beer when you are 14!
Kind Uncle Coach: “Go Racquetball Player! Yea Racquetball Player! You da best, you da best, you da best than all the rest..Yea Racquetball Player!!”
Want to win?
Pick a coach like that strict relative who makes you go to bed early and do work around the house! Work on your craft and stick to delayed gratification! A good long-term plan works!
Strict Relative Coach: Get your A#$% out there and get after it!
Go get’em tigers!!