Where Are You Going?

August 7th, 2021

Where Are You Going?

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”  
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This quote resonates with me on a multitude of levels.  First off, if you don’t have direction or a “North Star” to follow you will surely end up somewhere.  But is that somewhere where you want to go?

In athletics, and more specifically with track and field, we as coaches often ask our athletes where they want to go on their athletic journey and what they want to accomplish.  Athlete responses may vary from, “I want to win a national championship”, “I want to qualify for our conference championship”, to “I just want to be on the team”.  

When we know where our athletes want to go, we as coaches can assist in developing a roadmap for their final destination.  It is our responsibility as coaches to illuminate a path for our athletes brighter than they may be able to illuminate for themselves.  Understanding where our athletes want to go is one thing, but conceptualizing the path can be frustrating or difficult to understand at the moment.  

Conversations with our athletes prove critical in times of uncertainty because they provide clarity in moving towards their destination.  In my experience destinations tend to change based on three factors; a) how long it will take to get there, b) what needs to be done along the way, and c) how accountable the athlete can hold themselves to a and b.

As athletes begin to formalize their destinations, setting sail does indeed become more favorable because the path (winds) we provide should ensure safer and less hostile travels along the way.