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

The Coach’s Coach

December 20, 2021

It’s been more than eight years since, with the help of my coach at the time, I made the decision that I too wanted to pursue executive career and life coaching. It is a choice for which I remain without regret.

After pursuing requisite schooling and accreditation, affiliating with the professional coaching federation, doing what was required to set up a business, hanging up the shingle, and networking, the dividends of that investment have paid off in exponential satisfaction and engagement. It is all “pretty good.”

Pretty good. How do I go about at least sustaining that, or even taking it to a new level of pretty good, perhaps to “better,” “excellent,” or even “best?” Who is there to objectively help me to identify areas of opportunity, point out flaws in technique and form, and push me to greater or more?

The world’s most outstanding performers, be it in music, acting, or dance just about all have coaches to work with them on for sure new ideas, but just as much the fundamentals of their trades. Professional athletes have their coaches but beyond that have specialists to work with them on many other aspects of work and life: nutrition, finances, dealing with the media.

In any profession it is all too easy to fall into bad habits where we get distracted and take our eye off the ball, so to speak. Aware of these considerations it was critical for me to align with a group of other coaching professionals for not only continuing education, but for peer association. Thankfully there is a local chapter of the International Coaching Federation with whom I was able to align.

Beyond that, however, I discovered it necessary to identify a person who I could not only bounce ideas off of, but who would possess the objectivity to evaluate my approaches, techniques and processes and provide constructive feedback. As I sought out such a soul there were criteria: one whose coaching business was further developed than was mine and had a higher level of accreditation was at the top of the list. I also wanted a coach who, like me, had established their own business and understood the mechanics of the management and marketing of a solo shop. Beyond that, chief among these benchmarks was the desire for someone wiser and preferably older than me. The wisdom part would not be hard to find. Given that only 16% of the US population has been around longer than me, the age part would be more challenging.

Fortunately I aligned with such an individual. Among the markers that I have used to characterize him as an effective coach:

1. Launching a business is difficult. There is much to learn and with learning comes mistakes. Mistakes lead to disappointments and disappointments self-doubt. During those difficult periods my coach has buoyed my spirits, yet at the same time challenged me to stretch for a potential that I believed was beyond my grasp.

2. His coaching technique applies parallels and metaphors that specifically speak to me. As a fan of sports and music he uses phraseology such as “keep your eye on the ball,” “anticipate the pass,” “find your cadence,” or “strive for harmony,” that resonate.

3. He challenges me to seek continual improvement and advancement. For me, and I suppose the case is for many of us, contentment can come easily. Small businesses get to where they want to be and may coast. An executive advances to her dream job at the age of 45 and by the time they’re 50 drift towards “auto pilot.” A football team takes a four touchdown lead into the fourth quarter and moves away from their game plan. We’ve all too often seen the results. The small business stagnates. The executive finds the dream job boring and checks out. With three minutes to go in the game the once substantial lead has melted to a single touchdown.

4. Like a grip on a golf club or tennis racket or a power point presentation to a group of sales executives, our form and techniques can become sloppy unless we are grounded in fundamentals, examine our approach, and make course correction. My coach has been an accountability partner who provides an objectively encouraging voice and view.

Regardless of where you are in your business or personal life, how do you know if you’re living it abundantly? Who can you learn from? Who is the objective voice that keeps you focused and on target? Who keeps you accountable to keep the fire burning as you face the obstacles that try to prohibit you from achieving your hopes and dreams?

As we get ready to turn the calendar to a new year in a few days, how do you become your best self? Maybe this year will be the one where you do it a little bit differently and solicit a business advisor, mentor, or coach to take your “game” to the next level.

The Seed Sower

In Search of Commonality

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

Planting seeds of confidence . . .

The Coach’s Coach

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In Search of Commonality

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779