Creating an Attitude of Gratitude
We all have a reason to be thankful as players, parents, and coaches. As we are learning, let’s focus on an attitude of gratitude – as in Thank You for the opportunity to show you what I am capable of – and the opportunity to help and encourage you too.
Gratitude generates generosity. Make it a point to give specific gratitude honestly and publicly today so you may reap the generosity tomorrow. #DailyMight
Youth sports can be an ideal training ground for future leaders. The experiences, life lessons, and leadership traits a young athlete acquires while participating creates an environment of continuous growth throughout a season – or multiple season. It’s also the reason we all should be thankful as players, parents, and coaches. As we are learning, our focus should be on an attitude of gratitude – as in Thank You for the opportunity to show you what I am capable of – and the opportunity to help and encourage you too.
Gratitude for Players.
Players create life long bonds with teammates during their youth sports journey. The same teammates challenge, protect, encourage, and defend each other. Relationships formed through youth sports allow players to continue to learn more about themselves, what they’re capable of, and what generates the fire to compete. Seeing the positive qualities in a teammate helps bring out the positive qualities in yourself. Gratitude expands your learning appetite and can transform your way of growing. It helps develop respect, trust, and mutual appreciation among your teammates. Players have plenty to be thankful for.
Gratitude for Parents.
Parents allow their athlete to be submersed in the culture and the game that they love to play. They introduce their child to rules, standards, expectations, and the willingness to understand how their young athlete fits into the bigger picture. They help them understand what being a part of team means, and how their individual contributions effects the larger whole. They model to their child what life could look like when they enter the workforce. Parent get extra help in growing their child through inspired coaches who pout into their athlete. Parents have the structure of the game and the intentness of the support staff to be thankful for.
Gratitude for Coaches.
Coaches fulfill their purpose by investing in youth athletes and preparing them in the game they’re teaching while supplying them with the support and encouragement to grow character traits within themselves. By investing in the players, their support, staff, and the parents of their athletes – they have the opportunity to create a village that helps our youth understand the importance of a support circle. We create friendships, hone our leadership skills, and continue to grow as an adult by fulfilling our role as a youth sports coach. Coaches have the fulfillment of their purpose to be thankful for.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Gratitude, generates generosity. Happy, fulfilled, and excited athletes, parents and coaches who are invested in the well-being of each other have a far better chance of having a good experience with youth sports. Making it a point to express gratitude routinely is critical for building trust and well-being for ourselves as the coach and in the players and parents on the teams we oversee. Take today (and every day), to understand and apply this key message: By being grateful for the mechanism of youth sports and it’s ability to grow everyone involved. Give specific gratitude honestly to those around you so later you may receive the same gratitude and generosity in return.
Give everything your everything. And then some.
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