There’s a tale of two lumberjacks. Both go out in the woods to chop lumber; both starting and finishing at the same time. The one lumberjack would always take an hour to go off on his own while the other lumberjack kept chopping away. At the end of each day, the one lumberjack would always finish with more wood. The second lumberjack asks where the first lumberjack goes off to and how he always chops more wood. The lumberjack replies “I go to sharpen my axe”.
The lesson of the story revolves around self improvement; making time to work on yourself in order to better your craft. As strength coaches, we tend to get hooked on the tough persona that follows our profession. The long hours in the trenches and self sacrifices are just a part of the gig; many take pride in the hardship that is strength and conditioning.
Over the years, I’ve learned that you can’t pour from an empty cup. In order to best serve your athletes, clients and organizations, you first need to prioritize yourself. This of course will be extremely individual; everyone has a unique preference for recharging themselves. Below I outline 3 pillars and some suggestions for sharpening your own axe.
1) Self-Care
First and foremost, you need to make time for yourself. You should be able to compartmentalize work (as much as you love this field, it’s still a job) and personal. This may mean setting firm boundaries on how accessible you are. For example, you don’t reply to emails after 6pm or you turn your phone off at lunch. Work with your employer to set reasonable expectations (don’t decide to become inaccessible during playoffs). When you have your work schedule set, ensure you set your boundaries.
While it may sound mushy, ensure you acknowledge your own feelings. Yea I get it, we don’t have those. The truth is, many coaches become burnt out and overwhelmed with the lifestyle and pressures associated with the position. It’s hard not to feel the stress, we spend more time with our athletes than our own families at times. Events outside the weight room impact our behaviour inside of it; whether we’re experiencing grief, joy or anger, our ability to perform will become impacted as a result.
It becomes normalized to simply suppress our emotions and feelings in order to push forward or trudge on with the assignment. Giving our athletes our all becomes harder and harder; we simply become less from trying to give more. What I’ve found helpful is exactly what we preach our athletes to do. Go talk to someone. Seriously, go do it. Whether it’s the team psychologist, a trusted loved one or even your superior (make sure you have a good feel of the relationship), make the effort to express your thoughts and emotions, good or bad. It can help provide clarity and relief; an opportunity to recharge your own batteries. We are the first to preach the importance of the mental game to our athletes, it only makes sense to practice it on ourselves.
2) Relationships
Invest time in your social circle. This includes your family, your friends and your fellow colleagues. Constantly being “on” can be draining and leave you feeling like an island at times. Having a great support network can alleviate the stress associated with our profession while also providing a chance to give back to those investing efforts into us. Take interest in their hobbies and life events. Being present in your loved one’s lives can only add value to your own. At the end of the day, our jobs may come and go but your support network will always be there for you. Make time for them.
Foster and grow relationships with your colleagues in different sectors or schools. You never know what you can learn from other coaches, even those in the high school and private sector setting. It’s not always about the sets and reps. Some of the best conversations I’ve had were about leadership, organization and communication. These are crucial topics regardless of industry or sector and are extremely actionable in any setting. Put your ego aside and send an email or two. Pick up the phone and go shake a few hands. Networking and relationships take time but someone has to take the first step. We’re all looking to make the industry better after all, so foster strong relationships so we can move it forward together.
3) Education
The pursuit of knowledge can leave us excited for action. Every time I leave a conference, seminar or facility tour, I leave pumped to get back to work. Whether you have a shoestring budget or more financial freedom, invest time in learning more about our craft. Some ideas can include:
- Conferences
- Local Seminars
- Visiting Fellow Coaches’ Facilities
- Video Chats
- Reading
3A) Conferences & Seminars
There isn’t a single conference I’ve been to that has left my notebook empty. If you have the budget, spending a weekend at a conference will provide ample opportunities for learning and networking with fellow coaches. Presentations on the latest finds in the field can leave you feeling inspired and stimulate ideas for growth in your own weight room. Initiating conversations with fellow coaches become easier as socials are usually predetermined and allow introductions in a more casual setting. Make the most of your time; what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. If nothing else, it’s a weekend getaway. Relax and enjoy.
3B) Visit Fellow Coaches
I found this to be a more humbling experience. Getting the chance to be present and observe a fellow coach in their own setting is an awesome opportunity for self development. You literally get to watch the action unfold in real time with a chance to ask questions over a beer later. Hearing lectures and presentations are great, but sometimes we’re left wondering what the “well oiled machine” actually looks like when fired up. It can be hard to paint the picture from presentation to action so having the chance to witness the real deal can help make that connection. The true value will come from the one on one conversations. Make sure you contribute as much as you ask questions. Ensure everyone takes something valuable away from your conversations.
3C) Reading
Never underestimate the power of a good book. Reading expands your knowledge and opens your mind to new perspectives. Whether it’s textbooks, industry articles, or personal development books, take time to read and learn. The information you gather today will influence your coaching tomorrow.
IN CLOSING
Put your own oxygen mask on before helping someone else with theirs. By focusing efforts on being your best self, whatever that entails, you become even more invaluable to servicing others. Go chop wood.
Matrixx
