There seems to be a point when we believe our need for coaching, mentoring, and the acquisition of new knowledge are no longer needed in our lives.
We’re adults now. We know everything we need to know. Why would I need any help? I’ve put in my time.
Coaching? Why would I need a coach?
This of course, brings up the obvious question, why do sports teams need to be coached?
After all, these are guys and girls that have played the sport their entire lives, they’ve reached the pinnacle of success – the pro-leagues, – and yet they are still constantly under the wings of professional coaches and leadership.
Of course teams are different from individuals, right?
But…
Why would Lance Armstrong need a coach to improve his cycling?
Why would the manager need a coach to improve his management skills?
Why would the brain surgeon need coaching on learning new brain surgery techniques?
But us regular folk – we’re beyond that, right? We finished school. We got our degrees. We got drafted into the real world. We’re pros now.
But we’re driven by our egos. We believe it’s easier to look strong, stand up tall, and put on a smiley face, than it is to resort to asking for help.
Seeking help has been typecast in our society as a sign of weakness. We’ve gone and made it almost embarrassing. We’d rather just muster on and try to do it ourselves.
Before Tiger’s “issues,” he was often used as an example by coaches about the importance of continued coaching and training. Tiger is adamant about constantly improving his skills. He was never beyond learning from his coach. He could always learn from his coach, or even other golfers. Tiger was known to practice for hours and literally BEG for his coach to point out an issue with his swing, or his stance, or his grip.
He obviously could have used coaching beyond his sport, but that’s beyond this post 🙂
Here’s my take on it.
When you’re willing to accept that there IS a lot more to learn, you can drastically improve your skills. A coach can actually teach you something, or point out your flaws or help you with where to focus your practice time. That’s when you’ve entered the professional league.
Seeking help, guidance, and new knowledge to become bigger, stronger, faster, is the ultimate sign of strength. The real pros always know there is someone better out there who can teach them a thing or two.
So ask yourself, what league are you in? Pick one.
The Pros or the Amateurs?
