Using Sports for Education - Being the Difference

Challenges occur daily for athletes on and off the field. The good news is that using sports for education shapes people’s futures. Through empowerment coaching — the guidance of helping others reach their goals — coaches can make the positive difference they set out to make when deciding to coach.

Looking back on my sports journey, I realize the obstacles I encountered have come up in many life situations since. For example, playing baseball without confidence mimics the feeling when talking in front of people. The uncomfortableness is not the preferred way to play or speak to an audience, but minimizing the lack of confidence on the ballfield helps me when speaking now. Despite my trepidation, I learned to concentrate enough to limit the issue. I came to realize that exceptional concentration, along with experience, brought down the barriers to success. Of course, a lack of confidence is just one obstacle athletes and everyday living encounter. Many other challenges arise, including dealing with pressure, having no goals, lacking discipline, wavering commitment, playing for oneself only, and lacking sportsmanship. As a coach, I use my experience and empowerment coaching to teach necessary skills on and off the field.

 Empowerment coaching tips

 Help athletes:

1.     Stay connected and dedicated to their goals by convincing them the quintessential scoreboard is whether they are better today than yesterday.

2.     Develop a growth mindset by understanding that daily effort is critical.

3.     Be positive by believing in yourself, even when no one else does, because negative thoughts will be self-predictive.

4.     Find a support system because doing it alone is less productive and less satisfying.

5.     Fight for control of their thoughts. Making sound choices allows for the self-care one needs for one's mental health. 

 The road to success is bumpy, but using sports for education begins with learning from the past and giving one’s all.