The Seed Sower Coach

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

37:51 and 2,715

March 3, 2025

Billy Donovan has enjoyed a remarkable record of success as a basketball coach. As the head coach at the University of Florida for 19 years he led the Gators to consecutive NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. Donovan left Gainesville at the end of the 2015 season to coach in the NBA, first with the Oklahoma City Thunder and now currently with the Chicago Bulls.

As a coach, his career should be considered as nothing less than exemplary.

Donovan shares a story about success and failure that provides wisdom for each of us.

One of his best players suffered what some would consider an “off night.” He shot just two of 11 from the field one evening, certainly not a high conversion rate in a sport where typically a 40% mark is required to enter the realm of acceptability. Following his performance the player scapegoated himself for not only the team’s loss, but his output.

Coach Donovan consoled his athlete after glancing at statistics from the game. He noted the player had logged 38 minutes of playing time. Facing him the coach asked him about the nine missed shots. “How long does it usually require to attempt a shot,” he asked. After a moment of consideration, the player answered, “I suppose about a second.” Donovan, calculating quickly responded with, “so you’re letting a total of nine disappointing seconds offset, delegitimize, and ruin the other 37 minutes and 51 seconds where your play may well have been outstanding and a contributing factor in allowing us to be competitive?”

Are we not sometimes like the player? Focusing on the 4/10ths of one percent of our personal and professional lives when the other 99.6% has been at least acceptable, if not often stellar? How we beat ourselves up. Allowing for grief and inconsolable wailing in many instances when there’s already been a forgiveness.

In an article on self-forgiveness from the “verywell mind,” therapist Kendra Cherry writes about how easy it can be to forgive others and not ourselves. It is not a matter of letting yourself off the hook, nor is it necessarily a sign of weakness. Rather it is a case of accepting the behavior and the results, and adopting a willingness to move past what happened, rather than ruminating over past events that can’t be changed.

She offers a seven step approach:

1. Understand your emotions.

2. Accept responsibility for what happened.

3. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

4. Express remorse.

5. Make amends and apologize, including to yourself.

6. Look for ways to learn from the experience.

7. Focus on doing better in the future.

Admittedly I still can ruminate over things I did or didn’t do years ago. An inconsiderate comment. A poor decision. A missed opportunity. An embarrassing gaffe.

Bill Buckner was an outstanding professional baseball player. During a more than 20 year career, mostly with the Dodgers, Cubs, and Red Sox, he compiled a .289 lifetime batting average with 2,715 hits, seven seasons batting more than .300, and three seasons of 100 rbi’s. He was the National League batting champion in 1980.

Yet it was one play during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the Mets that defined his career. Boston, leading the heavily favored New Yorkers three games to two, was in an extra inning tussle in Game 6. The Mets rallied in the bottom of the 10th with three straight singles with two outs. Up comes Mookie Wilson. The speedy Wilson fouled off several pitches before hitting a slow roller to Buckner at first base. Buckner, aware of Wilson’s swiftness, rushed the ball. In haste the ball rolled through his legs and into shallow right field, allowing the runner on 3rd base to score and the Mets to win. Had the ball been fielded cleanly there would have been another inning. The Red Sox went on to lose game 7 the next night and thus the Series.

Long suffering Red Sox fans, who to that point had not celebrated a World Championship for 68 years, were incensed. The following season Buckner was heckled and booed by the frustrated fan base. There were even death threats. Despite acceptable stats in 1987, the Red Sox released him in the middle of that season. He went on to play a few more years with several teams, including the Red Sox again, before retiring in 1990.

Buckner forgave himself by coming to terms with his infamy and making fun of himself. He also accepted the forgiveness of the Boston fans and the media. He befriended Mookie Wilson. He signed autographs with him. He returned to Fenway Park in Boston in 2008 to throw out the first pitch for the home opener. He received a two-minute ovation from the crowd.

It's far past time to dwell on the nine seconds or the costly error. Give yourself an ovation for the other 37:51 and your many hits.

The Seed Sower

37:51 and 2,715

READ MORE
The Phenomenon of Snow

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779

37:51 and 2,715

READ MOREThe Phenomenon of Snow

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779

READ MORE
The Phenomenon of Snow