Last month I had the experience of travelling back to the west coast of Scotland where I grew up, or at least where I spent my childhood years (maybe I’m not grown up yet!).
The trip was to celebrate another decade’s birthday – eek. There is something quite magical about meeting with friends who have known each other for half a century, including one friend whom we share the same birthday!
It’s so interesting to see how folks from the same school year have navigated through their major milestones of life, those teenage years, sharing 18th and 21st birthdays, stag and hen do’s, weddings, university time, holidays together, 40th’s and tragically saying goodbye to some at funerals.
Inevitably, like scrolling Instagram, I found it all too easy to look at other folks and see the positives in their lives and have that little pang of envy or comparison. Familiar questions or doubts arise, like, what would it be like to be back in Scotland, the land/seascape is phenomenally beautiful. Should I have studied something different at university and gone on a different career path? Also tempting when asked about my situation was to present a polished overview, again similar to the online presence that we often see.
However, one of the benefits of long-term friends is having those deeper longer conversations. With each of the comparisons as you reflect more there is often a flip side. It’s important to look at the whole picture not just the highlights. Too harsh maybe but a phrase to consider when comparing “The grass might be greener, but is it from the rain falling?”
So how does this experience relate to sports coaching? We often compare ourselves. Very often cherry-picking the comparisons. The performances, the shiny kit, the photos from glamourous locations, the podium places.
But remember a few things i) be careful to compare and understand the whole picture – is there rain missing? ii) you may not be aware but perhaps people are comparing and looking at you – do you take the time to appreciate and be conscious of your positives?
Finally, one other highlight, it was noticeable how valuable it was to maintain the relationships. The science backs this up …. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/
AI read? As before if you want the AI customised version of this story….have a look – which do you prefer ? 🙂 https://poe.com/s/NJkLbCPZ7dJq4DwOYfbU
Nice blog Scott, like the ‘rain’ analogy, especially apt thinking back to the storm that blew though your birthday party this year 🤣
yes! that was pretty wild moment. Glad we saved the tent!