I have has some very meaningful experiences in the last couple of years, and as I have a chance now to reflect on them, it makes me grateful that I was able to catch some of these moments. For years, I have worked hard to continue to learn and grow in the game of softball, as well as my career as an educator. The growth mindset was a game changer for me.

Not just for the students in my classrooms, but for my clients and players as well. Softball is a game of failure, and learning from those failures to get better at what you do. Not only is failure a part of softball, it can also be a part of life. These failures are not what defines you, but merely help you grow! For the longest time, I’ve have lived by the motto of do not let others determine your worth. You determine your worth, and if you want something bad enough, you’ll find away to get it. I also believe that looking at the positive in every situation, is 100x better than looking at the negative. It doesn’t mean we don’t talk about the negative or the failure, but we don’t dwell. I’m sure that most of us go about our day doing 90% of things correctly, but why is it that we focus on the 10% we did wrong.

Apply this to softball, all we remember is what we didn’t do, not what we did right. I’d rather take the high road and talk about the things we did right, build confidence there, continue to grow, and stay positive.

In my opinion your team culture is who you are, it defines you, and it must start at the top. So let me put it to you this way, we want our athletes to bond, encourage, and support other teammates, but we as coaches don’t have to? You are your culture. You want people to open up, then you better open up. You want people to care for others? Then you better care for others, and not only when you have to.

Your players and students are not dumb! They know the fake from the real. Be genuine. It’s ok to let kids/players know you care about them. Do it in a humble way. Don’t make it about you, don’t make it about winning. Make them a part of the process, and the outcome.

Make it about them, always make it about them. Be Grateful that you have this opportunity to work with these amazing student athletes in front of you. YOU ARE THE LUCKY ONE! Not them!