I have often heard Nick Saban talk about his opening speech to players each year in Training Camp when he shares “if you want to be happy for an hour, eat a steak. If you want to be happy for a day, go play golf, If you want to be happy for a week, go on a cruise.” Then he goes on to say, “if you want to be happy in life, ask yourself one question, would it matter if I didn’t show up?”
Coach is talking about a sense of purpose, being someone who can improve the lives of others, and being a part of something bigger than just yourself. That is how I feel every time I drive away after the conclusion of one of my OLine Clinics. This past Sunday I was blessed to be able to have what I hope was a small positive impact on the lives of 60 kids. As I drove off the campus of West Orange High School in New Jersey for the 5.5 hour drive home, I did so with a profound feeling of personal fulfillment. The same feeling I had last month after coaching nearly 200 kids at the Hun School of Princeton NJ. The same feeling I have had for over 20 years and 5,000 kids. I had invested in these student-athletes… poured into them the way my coaches poured into me… That feeling never gets old, and I hope those older coaches who invested in me and are looking down from heaven, do so with a sense of satisfaction that their legacies continue in the works of others.
Jackie Robinson is quoted as saying, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” I like to eat a good steak, play a round of golf, and would enjoy a cruise; but those transient pleasures do not come close to the joy derived from positively impacting the lives of others, having a purpose, and being a part of something bigger than myself.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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