Welcome to tertad content
a Substack about iterative living, higher performance & life
Life/Athletic Performance Coaching isn't always exactly what you think - but it might be what you need.
One big lesson I’ve absorbed from coaching sports has been how little we, as coaches have a say in what is or isn‘t conceptually learned by our teams or clients. We as coaches & educators don’t necessarily get to decide ‘what’ is being learned or when. At least not in the way we wish we could... or often think we do...or should.
What we ‘do’ have a big say in are the environments our learning opportunities are delivered in. We have a say in how much we walk the talk of learning and how we support or behave when often learning can be messy and unpredictable. Our role often is to cultivate new thinking, help expand or narrow focus and most of all to listen.
The real world isn't a movie with the easy paths or resolutions to problems.
In life the main character isn’t given a ‘wax on, wax off’ lesson and then are able to turn it directly into success…
Leaders & coaches build the foundation, the disciplines and the opportunities to grow. Then, we must act directly to support the growth. We need to help iterate the process and not be distracted by the outcomes.
tertad content is built on one simple idea; ‘whole person first’. We work with programs, teams, coaches, parents, athletes to not be as concerned or worried about the outcome. Keeping us all looking for more direction in the process.
Finding our own water level is sometimes a jarring experience, but we all eventually find it.
As the founder of tertad content I’m not just about the big moments. The top 1%, or those who are in pursuit of Olympic type goals are not the only one participating. Sports and the value they provide to Junior Athletes goes far beyond the field or court. The lessons learned as a part of the sports community reach into every day life and anyone with a solid sports background typically has an advantage. In more and more cases that advantage is only getting bigger.
Building ‘whole athletes’ can be a goal of junior sports, just as adding skills to each of us helps us be more ‘whole’ ourselves. I honestly believe it’s time for a renewed understanding that many if not most of us are better served by being treated and treating others as whole people.
How do we start doing that?
- dealing with negative self talk
- aligning goals with actions
- eye contact
- conversation, including difficult ones
- learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable
- self advocacy
- personal accountability
- healthy selfishness
- and being more mindful & aware in all of the pieces of life
These are unique times; the sense of un-ease, the growing disconnect from one another, but also from ourselves. Our world is filled with growing anxiety, depression, adolescent suicide, fears, and almost constant state of overwhelm - it’s time to take a real look at this.
It's key to learn how to learn to be best prepared & participating in life. Many if not most junior athletes will go on to be the next teachers, parents, leaders and...coaches. They will take the next steps in developing our culture and society. Don’t we owe it to them and ourselves to pay attention?
We can do better.
Too many athletes are quitting and losing out on the benefits of being in and around a competitive or recreational sports family. Many of the day to day connection and self regulating skills we need just aren’t a part of most learning experiences.
Why are we still surprised at how much better our progress or experience is when we are fully engaged and aligned with the process. After all, a good coach and the right environment in athletics makes a world of difference!
Why would life be any different? [hint - It’s not]
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