The Joy In Giving 60%

The one thing I refuse to coach in youth sports is effort. I believe all other attributes can be taught and mastered except for the internal drive for betterment that comes from the athlete via motivated, quality, and joyful effort. #DailyMight

One of the things I refuse to coach in youth sports is effort. I believe all other attributes can be taught and mastered except for the internal drive for betterment that must come from the athlete – or both parties will be disappointed. Just a little bit ago I spoke on the 60/40 rule (we called it the coach-athlete value proposition). Now it’s time to dig into the athlete’s side of the equation (the Joy of 60%).

If you’ll recall, the 60/40 value proposition indicates that 40% of the improvement of an athlete comes from a coaches direction (knowledge, care, insightfulness, support). The majority, or 60% comes from the athlete in the form of effort. Of course, effort comes in a variety of ways and delivery. But it is effort at the root nonetheless. In the story above from Genesis, the Bible tells of brothers Cain and Abel who both gave an offering to God (effort). Only one however was accepted with disastrous results and here is why.

Good Motives.

When effort is presented, two things are evaluated: the motives behind the effort and the quality of the effort (which we’ll tackle in a minute). Is the effort presented a reflection of the best an athlete has to give in the moment of giving? Is the effort in support of improvement for the athlete and the team (here’s a hint: it should). You see, pure and transparent motives of the effort presented is key to the authenticity of the effort. Good motives are important in terms of effort.

Good Quality.

Coaches have an enormous amount of data on athletes during a season. They are living life with them and learn what max effort looks like. They can learn what uncomforted looks like as well (which is key in improvement). Basically, a coach knows when an athlete exhibits max effort. And when that standard is raised by the athlete, so is the standard of what good quality effort looks like. Good motives, with good quality effort, is a known recipe for maximized improvement.

Good Joy.

Now for the enjoyable part, with emphasis on joy. We should joyfully give our best in effort, talent, attention, time, etc. You’ve heard the age old saying that elite athletes must love the game to experience long term success. Joy and love go hand in hand. You cannot love something forever, without also enjoying it. It’s the differentiation when all the chips are in – like getting out of bed for 6am practice.

Both Cain and Abel appeared to be for all intents and purposes equally skilled in their area of expertise. Both gave an offering to God. Once God evaluated the motives (why was each of them offering) and the quality of the offering (Cain brought the leftovers and Abel brought his best), God highlighted the importance of both on what was accepted and rejected. The 60% athlete side for the coach-athlete value proposition follows the same playbook and helps an athlete determine if their effort was worthy.

Give everything your everything. And then some.

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