For the past several years, pal Chris Brogan, at Human Business Works, has started his year by picking three words. It started a trend that thousands of people have joined. He uses those three words to anchor his efforts throughout the year.
As Chris says, “The idea is that the words you choose will go past being a simple goal and will become part of the way you identify yourself, and thus, a guiding light for your efforts.”
I thought it was an interesting idea, so I copied his lead last year choosing: Platform, Art, & Optimum-Performance. Those words were instrumental in me having a wonderful year coaching, in business, and personally.
This year I have three new words, and I wanted share them with you for two reasons. First, I’m hoping you will choose three words. They can act as a secret weapon to help you rock your coaching in 2014. Second, my words can give you insight into the direction I plan to go with CoachingSportsToday.
Here we go, then …
Push
Seth Godin wrote a classic book all coaches should put on their must read list. It’s called The Dip. Godin gets right down to the mechanics of navigating failure, showing when to push through obstacles and when to quit. I found it so helpful that I used the book in a college course I taught on failure.
Last month I found myself strapped for cash.
Bills were piling up and the holidays were coming. I was in a bit of a panic and then it dawned on me that I really needed to push myself to get to a financial opportunity that appeared right in front of me.
I sat down and looked at the websites that I have been writing on these past few years (MaxRigging, here, RowingTalks). I hadn’t considered advertising on those sites.
I pushed past the obstacle in front of me, my own doh!, contacted several companies that looked like likely customers, and with three hours I had secured $900.00 in ad revenue.
I pushed, and it paid off for me, as I hope it does for my new customers and readers. In 2014, I plan on pushing myself hard, but doing it smartly … meaning, knowing when and how to push, and knowing when to stop pushing.
What about you? Are there hidden opportunities right around the corner that you could push yourself to? Is there a word that would help you find hidden treasures. Something to consider. Hm?
Attraction
Sometimes, I’ve found success by ATTRACTING.
For example, at the end of this month I’m hosting an event for high school rowing coaches at my college. The purpose is to give back to a wonderful community that has given me, and my College, a lot. (No charge for attendees except for the cost of food).
To make this event successful (this will be year 5) I need to attract a lot of resources and participants to one location at one time. 100 attendees, 17 speakers, sponsors, vendors, and numerous volunteers come here to give everyone an opportunity to shine and learn. In this case the attraction is done by building something wicked-special and then showing folks about the opportunity.
Could you do the same? Sure, if you need to.
For instance, you could do it with your team, creating cool things and opportunities that draw people in like a black hole does in deep space.
In 2014 I plan on using ATTRACTION more, in my recruiting (gently pulling people to my school), in my team’s training (gravitating the athletes to the opportunity of physical and mental improvement), and attracting myself to a dream of what I want my coaching to be this year.
Scared
Author Mary Schmich has been credited with saying, “Do one thing that scares you each day!” That’s what I’m going to do in 2014.
For example, once per week I’m going to send a hand written thank you note. There are a lot of people who have helped me along the way (some who know me and some who don’t have a clue who I am). Each Friday I’m going to mail off a note.
Scary? Not massively, but enough to move me out of my comfort zone each Friday.
And the other days of the week I’ll be doing something similar. For example, every Monday I publish this post to you, and it IS scary. I mean, why would anyone value anything I write? It certainly pushes me out of my comfort zone, makes me think deeply. But the rewards have been more than I could have wished for.
And you? Have you taken a scary step lately?
Now, Your Turn
The very best part of writing a post like this is asking you for your three words. I’d love to know what YOU want to change in 2014, and how you’ll accomplish it. Are there three words that could help you get there?
Feel free to share your three words below. I’m pumped to know what you come up with. But one thought to help, don’t over think. Go with your gut instinct and don’t hesitate to tweak your words. An example, I debated GRAVITY instead of ATTRACTION for quite a while, but finally settled on ATTRACTION.
You??