#vision – …my temporary assignment.

But theirs.

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

Since I am involved in coaching, whether it be Special Olympics, job development for those with diverse abilities or good old football, I would have to say the first day of a season or the first meeting with a new associate is the best day. Days that really aren’t ever one and done. But moments that build and transition into other first days.

A first practice allows you to witness the work they have embraced in the off-season, weightroom, classroom, community and home. You get to see what they are beoming, the yearning to take those next steps to become something more for the team. Whether it is a scout, one that comes off the bench, or a leader that never comes off the field. As a coach, you get to help guide them along a path of their choosing. It is you that can help them see something bigger than themselves and then realize that vision.

Then if you remain connected, you can watch them do the same in college and their initial foray into the business world, whether employee or entrepeneur.

A first meeting to discuss job development is in many ways the same. You can learn of the progress they have made in their life despite their challenges. Whether they are at home, or gaining independence within a group community, you can see their excitement to learn, grow and become something more than they ever have been before.

Perhaps they start in the back of a business, learning the ropes. Maybe that gives them all the contentment and growth they need. Others may want to work there way up and out to the front. Filling in for teammates that are out or have elected to move on. Maybe they see themselves becoming the one that opens the door and turns on the lights each day.

It is coaching that takes place on other venues. It is still all about guiding them along a path of their choosing. But if you can see something bigger in themselves than they realize, you get to share that vision with them, and help them to grow into it.

It can be difficult to remember or recall all of the firsts I had throughout my life. But there is truly something to be said to be a part in those of others. For that reason, I am blessed to be able to participate in so many “firsts”.

Not so much mine.

But theirs.

Confluence

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Maybe you have noticed a transformation.

Perhaps you are gaining a sense of this.

Feeling its tug. An awareness of gravity. How the mass of your collective thoughts, words and deeds have led you to this instant.

Impacting someone. Making something. Leading somewhere.

For they all matter. And even now, both they – and you – are still being shaped.

Taking all that you have been up to now – and making you into what you are to become. The embodiment of all that is the best in you; character, excellence, perseverance and leadership.

Your intentions then finally and irrevocably become reality.

A convergence of age, ability, experience. The confluence of discipline, desire and dreams. In something altogether new. That will stand alone. That will never happen precisely in this fashion ever again.

Long ago, each of you entertained the smallest germ of a thought. A glimmer of a dream.

At that moment, you decided. You chose a destination.

But a path was needed. Direction determined. A pace to be set.

You let go. Abandoned yourself for one another. Subservient for a greater good. Exerting the will to expend yourself in all aspects of your being. Succumbing to a level of self-discipline that ultimately created this extraordinary circumstance.

Creating a singular vision, originating from a common perspective.

“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbours; that which it loves; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; … and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.” – James Allen

What your souls harbor is especially important right now. For as I speak, what you have always wanted is right there. In your path. Within reach.

The allure of what lay just ahead may be tempting. You might want to peek. To veer left a little. Or to the right. To get up on tippy toes to take a gander. To peer over the top.

Yet, you must not stray.

To look ahead is to leave this moment. Lifting one’s gaze up, around or under will skew your trajectory. A change in perspective will reduce focus. Obfuscate vision. Dissipate intention. Impede effort. Foster missteps.

You could lose sight of your path.

Distractions are apt to be abundant. Self induced. Born of doubt. Fear. Expectation. Anticipation. Yet focus is not meant to exist in the absence of distractions. It is a trait intended to exist in spite of them.

So just as you chose this path, you must now decide to maintain focus.

To honor your vision regardless of the situation. Committing to preserve that most singular and proper perspective. To abide by the very essence of discipline. Expending unparalleled levels of effort and persistence. Exerting uncommon character and leadership. Aspiring to the highest standards of attitude and attention.

To finish.

To relentlessly pursue excellence.

And succeed.

By setting a tone that rings true to your vision alone.

Converging on your path.

So that you all flow together at one point.

In this stand alone moment.

Practice

“Again, another share of a post from years ago, promoting the value of practice. Not just on the field, weight room, office, board room, home, community. But every where. Always and in all ways:”

The competitive nature of athletics is said to develop character.

And, it is thought that adversity’s task is to reveal it.

Perhaps.

But maybe character isn’t so much in need of development or of being revealed. Though its expectations remain high, it could be that character’s demands are much simpler to grasp.

Maybe character is just desperate to be spoken. And then, heard.

To be trusted and afforded the benefit of the doubt.

That stands to reason. Since character always knows the right thing to do and just when to do it.

And as you begin to listen, then hear, you will find yourself drawn closer towards it. Finding comfort in its embrace, a sense of purpose in its guidance and a growing courage to use it to face everything life can throw your way.

Character simply yearns to be the first, the best and the last choice you would ever make. And learning to act upon its “recommendation” puts you on a trajectory aimed directly toward your best interests.

Let’s look at it this way.

To effect tangible, positive and lasting influence on anything you choose to master, only one thing is known to work.

Practice.

If it is engineering, medicine or teaching that has captured your heart, then you put your desires to practice.

The cello? Singing arias, painting with watercolors, architecture, cooking or film? Mastery is not gained in one attempt. But in many.

It takes practice.

Is it service that calls you?

Then finding the pathway – both within and without – that will lead you there takes effort, commitment.

And, practice.

For some, athletic competition is what makes the spirit soar. To become all you intend to be, you have to employ all that you are to honor that purpose.

Through practice.

So to be able to hear, trust and embrace character’s voice?

It takes practice.

By developing good listening habits.

Getting attuned to its singular voice.

Hearing its message.

Having faith in its command and making a commitment to heeding its wisdom.

Learning to allow it to be your unshakable guide and loyal mentor.

And developing the patience to allow it to do its work.

Over, and over, and over, and over again.

Putting character into practice.