Patience

"The biggest thing that I have learned  is PATIENCE. Early on I was a pretty impatient coach. I wanted it now, I wanted them to be able to do it now, and I didn't understand if they didn't see what I saw. Now, from trial and error, I have become much better at that."  - Doc Rivers 

I am a dad, a coach, and I coach my own kids, so I have learned through trial and error the importance of balancing pushing our athletes with patience.  Having a sense of urgency in the way that you work is important to growing and getting better, but patience is the thing that I have sought and prayed for more as much as anything.

As parents and coaches, we see so many things, small and large, that our athletes could do to grow and change their game, and sometimes it blows my mind when my athletes won't listen and apply those changes.

But I am learning that this is their journey.  I am learning that I am here to love and support them.  I am learning how to find a balance between patience and pushing.

I am here to teach, provide positive feedback.  I am not here to be a joystick that controls their thoughts and moves.

What really helps me is knowing that time, repetition and experience are our friends.  Over time and through the right practice and reps, they will get better.  I just have to find the time to create those opportunities.

And the more experiences that they get, the better they will be.

Sometimes we have to be patient through the learning process, and sometimes we have to have a sense of urgency.  If we are too easy and too patient, they might not get out of their comfort zone and we all know that growth comes outside of our comfort zone.

But patience is important.