Witnessing Athletic Greatness-Testament to Coaching
Over the weekend I made a conscious decision to stay away from the computer, get some “social” time and catch up on rest. Part of the down time has been watching the Olympics.
I have a love for sports, played competitive sports in my younger days, and have a couple of coaches who pushed me to results that maxed my talent, and ultimately, were a big reason I stayed in school and did not get into “serious” trouble.
As did a large part of the world, I watched over the weekend as Michael Phelps (and his teammates) achieved 8 gold medals. There is no doubt that Phelps has unique physical gifts that give him a chance to be the best. But he preformed under immense pressure!
I read fairly extensively about Phelps, and in our national paper, the headline on Saturday had Phelps giving credit to the coaching he received. A great athlete who is challenged constantly by a coach to set goals, take responsibility, be accountable, and ultimately, to deliver up to his full potential. 8 gold medals are a clear statement about the value of talent which fully utilizes great coaching, and Phelps overtly acknowledges it.
We watched with pride as a Canadian lady wrestler took a gold, and what a story. A family chased from Vietnam, taken in by a rural community in the interior of British Columbia, a community with a great coach of the school wrestling team who welcomed all, large and small. A coach who took his small school team to provincial (state) recognition, and who molded an immigrant child into a world champion!
The individual and team performances have been marvelous. We have seen triumph, we have seen real heartbreak. We marveled at the new world records in so many events, and I shook my head in disbelief at the men’s 100 meter sprint event. Wow!
The other thing that has struck me is the amount of “personal bests” that have been achieved. Even at the highest level, not everyone has the talent to win the event outright, but all are capable of doing just a little better than ever before, and that has happened frequently. Is this not what it’s all about? Being the best you can be? You cannot control the talents of others, but in a crunch, can deliver a personal best.
The consistent thing I have witnessed while watching is the role of coaches. Oft times the coach is the first person the athlete turns to after the performance is over. In interviews and coverage, athletes constantly acknowledge the role that the coach has played, not only in helping push for performance, but for just “being there” for support. I know the great feeling a coach gets when they witness a client performing at a higher level than ever before and achieving “personal bests” in areas of importance.
Whether it be in an area like arriving at career goals and getting to them, setting goals for life balance and getting results, building stronger personal relationship with others or with self, forging a spiritual awakening, or living without addictions, great coaching is available and can help yield individual personal bests.
I am grateful to be witnessing the great performances that athletes from around the world are delivering. I marvel at a man like Michael Phelps, and all he (with support of teammates) accomplished utilizing his god given talents, and am grateful to see all the “personal bests” that are so important to individuals.
As you may guess, I truly appreciate seeing the role great coaching is playing, and the open recognition that coaching is being given. I note coaches don’t perform; they bring out the best in others.
If coaching can have such an obvious positive impact on others, why aren’t we all using a “coach” to bring out the best in us in areas we want personal bests in??
Tags: Coach Coaching Addiction Recovery Coaching Life Coaching Life Purpose
