Empower Others

Hi,


I recently attended a state coaching conference. (Imagine a kid in a candy store...that was me.) Anywho, John Kessel, a representative from USA Volleyball, was the keynote speaker. At one point, Mr. Kessel said that boys are player empowered, and girls are coach empowered. Cue Oprah's Aha Moment.

Why is it that girls need approval from others instead of themselves? Most girls need to be told what to do and when to do it even if they are capable of figuring out everything on their own. When we make a mistake, we look for guidance. When we do something well, we look for the ever necessary thumbs up.

We need to make all females self empowered. Yes, there are times that we need help when we are unsure, and it never hurts to get a pat on the back, but teaching girls to figure out issues themselves and instill intrinsic motivation will be something that sticks with them all their lives. We are not helping anyone by taking their personal power away. There will be times when all one has to turn to is him or herself. It will be in those desperate times that this will be crucial. The truth is that we don't NEED anyone in our lives; we WANT them. All we truly need is our self and a little bit of gumption.

Breathe. Believe. Battle. That's what need need to all remember. No matter what the situation or how tall the obstacle, we all need to take a breath, believe we can do it, and then battle it out. The reward is so much sweeter when we do it on our own.


Go do good things,

BT