hard work

Igniting Possibilities: Coaching Insights from a Dutch Proverb

 in quote  tagged assumptions / coach / coaching / hard work / igniting possibilities / motivation / proverb / quote / spark
A watercolour image of a campfire burning 6 logs - green trees in the background. The fire is already alight and there is no indication of the igniting possibilities that were used. Yellow flames with red outer edges can be seen and white smoke is drifting upwards. The text across the top reads: "With hard work you can get fire out of a stone." (Dutch proverb)

Today’s coaching inspiration comes in the form of:

“With hard work, you can get fire out of a stone.” (Dutch proverb)

While the imagery of extracting fire from a stone might seem like a laborious task, the proverb encourages us to consider the value of persistence and hard work. As coaches, we often encounter clients facing challenging situations, and this proverb prompts us to explore the varied facets of effort and determination.

Beyond Flint and Stone:

Taking the proverb literally, creating fire from a stone using a flint requires skill and perseverance. However, it’s essential to recognize that hard work is not the only route to success. The evolution from flint and stone to matches, firelighters, and modern heating methods illustrates the progression of alternatives and innovation. The first lesson for coaches is that while hard work is a reliable path, it’s not the sole avenue, and there might be more efficient and enjoyable ways to achieve one’s goals – even if theyre not ones you are currently aware exist.

Challenging Assumptions:

The proverb also prompted me to think about challenging assumptions about the difficulty of a task based on past experiences. Just because something was challenging in the past does not guarantee the same level of difficulty in the future. Clients may be carrying the weight of past struggles, assuming that the road ahead will be just as arduous. Coaches can encourage a shift in perspective by exploring new skills, external resources, and alternative approaches that may make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. In a bigger picture perspective this can also be a discussion around the impact of what we think can have on our experience.

Reframing Effort and Enjoyment:

The proverb also encourages coaches to explore the concept of effort and its relationship with enjoyment. What if the pursuit of a goal, while requiring effort and time, could also be enjoyable? By reframing the narrative, clients can approach challenges with a more positive mindset, seeing the effort as a meaningful investment in their growth and success.

Supporting Clients and igniting possibilities:

As coaches, our role is to provide support, especially when clients feel disheartened or lack motivation. Reminding them of their potential, emphasizing progress, and helping them understand that the journey may have its challenges but is part of the transformative process can be empowering. Additionally, pointing to the “fire within” – that internal drive and passion – can reignite their sense of purpose and resilience.

Conclusion:

The Dutch proverb teaches us that while hard work is a commendable approach, it’s not the only one. As coaches, we have the opportunity to guide our clients in challenging assumptions, reframing their relationship with effort, and finding joy in the pursuit of their goals. By embracing the lessons embedded in this proverb, we can empower our clients to see possibilities, tap into their inner fire, and navigate their journeys with confidence.

How do you support your clients when they perceive a task as challenging or lacking in motivation? Share your insights below!

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.

5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team 2

 in Guest Post  tagged balance / hard work / James White / lesson / preparation / team

In today’s guest post former basketball coach James White shares a little of his approach to working with teams:

"5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team" A guest post by James White

5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team

by James White

Coaching a team is a multifaceted act of teaching. Not only do successful coaches teach their team the nuances of a particular sport or practice, but they also teach team members valuable lessons about life.

You see this type of duality in every great sports movie. Regardless of whether or not the team is successful in the end, the coach’s players walk away having learned invaluable life lessons. Given the authority and level of influence that coaches have on players, it is no surprise that they are looked upon as role models.

Whether you are coaching players in a traditional sport or leading a team in a business setting, here are five valuable life lessons that you can instill in those who look up to you:

1. Finding a Balance

One of the most important lessons that a coach can teach players is the importance of finding a balance in life. While it is a coach’s job to achieve excellence on the field, it is also a coach’s responsibility to ensure that people succeed in the classroom and serve as role models in the other facets of their lives. I usually combine this lesson with doing dribbling drills that take focus and balance to achieve. While they are doing the drill I talk about the importance of balance both in the game in their own lives.

2. Hard Work

The relationship between hard work and success is another concept that sports can help people understand. Sports serve as an excellent allegory for life in general, as they offer a set of standards for success and a designated path for achieving it. If a coach can manage to show players the correlation between hard work and success on the field, these players will understand the value of hard work in every other aspect of their lives as well.

3. Winning and Losing

Winning and losing are two occurrences that coaches will likely have to navigate their team through. Managing to teach your team to win and lose with grace is an invaluable lesson, according to Sports Feel Good Stories. Understanding how to handle these occurrences within the sporting world will help people to manage successes and failures later in life. Encourage your team to have a good attitude even when they lose.

4. Being a Team Player

Working well with others is not only a skill that is necessary for success on the field, it is also a skill that directly translates to a professional setting. Just as players must learn to play with their teammates, business professionals must cooperate with their fellow employees. Not only does this mean contributing to the team with your own talents, it also means doing your part to make those around you better.

One analogy that explains this life lesson is the wheel. Explain how each player represents a spoke and without all of them performing at their best a wheel will not work. Helping players recognize the importance of their team members is perhaps the most important lesson coaches can bestow upon their teams.

5. Preparation

Sports such as football, basketball and soccer require extensive studying and preparation. Teaching your players the value of being prepared for the big game is a realization that is applicable for other aspects of their lives, as well. Use the well-known phrases “Practice make perfect” and “No pain, no gain” to remind players why they need to practice hard.

Coaches have the opportunity to use sports and other team scenarios as mediums for teaching people important life lessons. A good coach isn’t necessarily the one with the winning team, but the coach whose players walk away as better people is always appreciated.

About James White

James White coached basketball for 3 years and is currently working on his business degree. Connect with James on Twitter at @JGtheSavage or read more articles from him on his personal blog Info Bros.