Things I have learned

I'm writing about myself which I hate to do, but too bad for you the reader.  It's my show here and I can do what I want.  Just kidding with the tone here.  But I really also can write about whatever floats my boat. 

But anyway transitions are also a good time to just sit back and think about things.  Think about where you want to go.  Maybe think back on lessons learned.

One thing I learned, that I talked to an Athletic Administrator about today was that you have to know how to prioritize things correctly and realize when your tasks are not important and shouldn't be brought to someone above you and when they should be.  You need to be resourceful and see the big picture.  In other words, when it's the spring, don't be bothering someone with stuff revolving around a fall sport.

You should be passionate about what you do, but also realize that it's important not to drive the people you work with crazy all the time.  Balance is important, and if you really, really want to do something, learn how to do it yourself so you don't need to get someone's help, and just an OK approval instead.

Some coaches just have tunnel vision and all they think is that what is most important for them is what is most important for everyone, and that's rarely, if ever the case.


Another random thought is keeping in contact with people.  It's hard to do, from experience.  I know that there is a group that you stop hearing from right away.  Another group that you hear from for a little bit and then a little less and then never.

It's important to stay in contact with people.  I've learned that.  I know that.  It allows you to keep friendships which is most important.  It's also how you get jobs and how you get things done too.

I try hard to keep in contact however I can.  I will stay in contact with anyone and everyone.  The ones I make sure I stay in contact with are the ones that make an effort too.

If I know someone has a positive influence on my life and makes an effort to stay in contact with me, there is no way I would ever let them fall out of contact, and neither should you.

It also amazes me who does stay in contact and who doesn't.  It's often times people that you don't expect to remember you who do.  Some of the ones you think you will hear from, you don't and vice-versa.  


Communication and being easy to talk too and work with are very important because people often need to collaborate with other groups, especially in an athletic administration setting.  Being able to have good relations with external stakeholders through good communication and networking makes your work that much better.  You will have ideas and problems that other people can solve, and when you can form that link it makes you much more valuable.  Strange experiences and connections have a weird way of being very useful. 


Being organized and clean is also important.  I need to work on those things.  I need to work on being physically organized.  I am detail oriented in my brain, but often not elsewhere.  I think you need to know what is ok and not ok in terms of cleanliness and organization.  There is a line.  You can give people a bad impression if you aren't careful with how you dress and present yourself.