becoming the best at what you care about

The other day I was thinking about how I describe myself.  Other than physical characteristics, what makes me who I am?  What kind of activities do I do that make me an interesting person?  Most importantly, how can I become better at the things I care about?  In a world of over six billion people, how do I set myself apart?

I decided to make a list of the different roles I see myself playing on a daily basis.  These roles correspond to professional responsibilities and aspirations, family responsibilities, and personal responsibilities/goals.  A few of the more important items on my list are coach, teacher, writer, reader, thinker, runner, brother, son, and boyfriend.  Each of these is an area that I already have pretty clearly defined responsibilities or is something that I want to become a bigger part of my life.  By consciously making a decision to become better in each of these areas, I become a more interesting and better person.

I took each of these areas and asked myself, “How do I become a better (insert responsibility here)?”  At the conclusion of the exercise I had a list of actions and steps I could take to make this a reality.  I realize this is a pretty self-indulgent post, but please bear with me.  Hopefully seeing my results will inspire you to do something similar.  Here are a few of the items on my list and the steps I brainstormed to improve.  I may post the remainder of the list at a later time.

1. How do I become a better reader?

• read difficult books
• read a variety of books
• keep a reading journal
• re-read How to Read a Book and The Well Educated Mind.
• focused practice (30 min. everyday)

2. How do I become a better writer?

• write everyday
• seek feedback
• push myself outside my comfort zone
• strengthen basic grammar
• expand vocabulary
• read

3. How do I become a better thinker?

• read things I disagree with and deconstruct arguments with an open mind
• seek out intellectual writing
• challenge my assumptions and beliefs
• have conversations with intelligent people

4. How do I become a better coach?

• read about coaching/hockey/leadership
• find a coaching mentor
• reflect on my own coaching through writing and speaking
• coach as much as possible

5. How do I become a better teacher?

• teach as much as possible (don’t turn down subbing opportunities)
• find a veteran mentor
• teach in as many situations as possible
• reflect on my teaching
• read about pedagogy/methods
• make connections with other teachers
• nurture my own intellectual curiosity
• further develop my content knowledge

Think about the areas of your life that are important to you; how can you become better at them?

Photo by Lizzie