Why a Hockey Coach Should Always Be Learning and Growing: Key Strategies for Success

I have a vivid memory of an evening that changed my perspective forever. Gathered around a dinner table with seven other gentlemen, our mentor sat at the head. This remarkable individual was a seasoned CEO, accomplished author, thought leader, and a highly successful business owner. Inviting us to a year-long mentorship, we would convene at his home monthly, sharing stories, asking questions, and discussing insights from our assigned readings and homework assignments.

During one of these sessions, a trait became abundantly clear - our mentor had an insatiable love for reading. Observing him closely for two years, I discovered that he never ceased his quest for knowledge. Continually exploring, rediscovering, and pushing himself forward, he embodied the idea that growth and learning are lifelong pursuits. This realization struck me profoundly, highlighting the competitive edge one can gain over peers simply by embracing the habit of reading.

So, let us dive into some practical steps to begin this transformative journey:

1. Simplify the Path

I am a huge advocate for environmental design, where the physical environment works in your favor. Inspired by James Clear, I learned that making things easily accessible can significantly impact success. Consider this: If you want to eat more apples, you would not buy them, toss them in the fridge, and forget about them. Instead, you would place them in a visible bowl on your kitchen counter, increasing the likelihood of consuming them. The key is to eliminate unnecessary barriers and friction that hinder progress.

How does this apply to reading? Keep the book you want to read within sight. Place it on your nightstand, ensuring it's the last thing you see before bed. Position it on the kitchen counter, catching your eye as you make your morning cup of coffee. Avoid stowing it away in your bag or briefcase, where it remains unseen.

Additionally, set achievable reading goals for yourself. Start with reading 10 pages a day or completing one book per month. Ensure your reading goals are both reasonable and sustainable.

2. Harness the Power of Knowledge Retention

As I have grown older, I have noticed it is increasingly difficult to remember every detail, especially from a book I read weeks ago. That is why I have adopted the practice of creating a "Net Out" when reading. What exactly is a Net Out? It's a concise one-to-two page book summary capturing the key takeaways from my reading. I learned this valuable technique from my mentor, Michael Hyatt.

Here is a quick breakdown of the template:

QUICK SUMMARY:

Insert a quick 1-2 sentence summary of the book.

KEY INSIGHTS:

Insert bullets here

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

Insert bullets here

MEANINGFUL QUOTES

Insert quotes here in italics.

SCORE

Life Changing Principles: 1-100

Quality of Writing: 1-100

Overall Value: 1-100

PROS

List 3 pros

CONS

List 3 cons

The overall time investment required to create a Net Out typically ranges from 20 to 30 minutes. Considering the immense value it brings, this time is nearly priceless. I find myself frequently revisiting books years later, and I'm consistently grateful for having dedicated that time to document my thoughts, insights, and highlights. This practice ensures that the valuable lessons, tips, and takeaways will never fade away from memory.

3. Write

Once you have invested time in absorbing and organizing your thoughts through a Net Out, the next crucial step is to put them into writing. Personally, I never considered myself a writer, but I have successfully authored two books and established a thriving company, all thanks to the content writing strategies I developed years ago.

Writing has been instrumental in my achievements as an entrepreneur, business owner, as well as in my roles as a husband, father, and church leader. It has compelled me to demonstrate my comprehension of what I read, enabling me to elevate myself in the specific areas of life I seek to improve.

For instance, let us say I am reading a book on building a stronger team culture, and I come across an intriguing section about implementing a new bonus and benefits structure. It is in my best interest to write about it. The act of writing becomes a testing ground, assessing my ability to remember and understand the material. Sometimes, I effortlessly recall every point and the writing flows smoothly. Other times, I need to revisit the pages and remind myself of the key insights I appreciated. Nevertheless, this process enhances retention, which is the ultimate benefit.

Moreover, the written content can be repurposed into a blog post, a future chapter in a book, or it can simply reside in a journal. The choice is yours. The good news is that through this process, you'll solidify what you've learned, honing your mental acuity like a sharpened ax.

Final Thoughts

As we approach the conclusion, my primary goal is to encourage you to engage in more reading. Remember, the more information you absorb, the better equipped you'll be as a presenter, ready to share valuable insights. Personally, I challenge myself to sustain a steady growth rate by reading a new book each week. However, I understand that level of intensity may not be suitable for everyone.

Regardless of the reading volume you choose to adopt, strive for consistency, and you'll witness remarkable growth in your soul and mind in the months to come.

Now, let us consider some intriguing statistics about books and reading:

  • One-third of high school graduates never pick up another book for the remainder of their lives.

  • Forty-two percent of college graduates never engage in further reading after completing their education.

  • Eighty percent of U.S. families did not purchase or read a book last year.

Access to books is an undervalued form of wealth in our country today. Within those pages lie entire worlds, galaxies, and philosophies. With a simple download or a trip to the library, you gain access to the profound wisdom and life lessons of some of the greatest minds. This wealth of knowledge is available at the cost of a library card or an inexpensive used book. Many individuals are choosing to overlook this abundant wealth, so let it become your secret weapon.

Read more. It is the way of the hockey coach.

Scott Schwertly

Scott Schwertly is the Founder and Performance and Sport Psychologist at GritBase, a mental performance coaching company for hockey players.

https://gritbase.com
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The Difference Between Trying and Committing: Unlocking Success in Hockey

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The Science of Learning: How Cognitive Load Theory Can Benefit Hockey Coaching