For many years, I coached many different sports. Basketball. Baseball. Soccer. Football, Cross Country. Even Bowling. Every year I had a common theme, some kids were set in their ways, and some kids loved to be “coached”.
What I mean by, “love to be coached”, is the ability to take what a coach says, and apply it to their life. The students that were coachable, were always wanting to learn to grow. A few students would come up to me after practice and say, “What should I work on, coach?” That isn’t an easy thing to do. They had to be willing to push their ego aside, and embrace the constructive criticism.
On the other hand, the students who thought they knew it all; who never wanted any coaching, always got in their own way. No matter what advice I’d share, I was met with resistance.
Proverbs 25:12 (TPT) says, “When you humbly receive wise correction, it adorns your life with beauty and makes you a better person.”
It’s one of the things I love about my group of running friends. We learn from each other. There are no egos. Advice I have been given includes, “You run a little tight. Swing your arms more.” And, “Remember to pick up your knees when you run.” I could easily say, “Hey, I’ve been running for over 10 years. I think I’ve got it.” I am SO glad I haven’t taken that approach. Those words, spoken by my friends, have made me better.
When it comes to constructive criticism, or coaching, are you willing to receive it? Or, reject it?
Be coachable. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!