So the other day Kade and I went to our favorite barber shop.
I’m super routine about this – every 2 weeks, I get a beard trim/line up, and then every 4 weeks I get a haircut and beard trim.
(Stick with me here…I promise it’ll be worth it.)
Now this place does decent work, so it’s definitely not cheap.
So I go in with my plan – I’m just going to get my beard trimmed today, and then next time I’ll get everything cleaned up because I’ve got my Montana Workshop coming up in 2 weeks.
But when I go back, of course I get the guy in the first chair.
Literally the best guy in the spot.
Takes his time and lines everything up right.
Hits the details like eyebrows that most guys will skip over.
And just enough banter to be friendly and cool, without it feeling like you’re forced to talk the whole time.
So what did I do?
Of course I got the haircut and beard trim – because he’s elite and I love his work.
Now I’m sure you’re thinking, “Mike – what the heck does this have to do with coaching?”
My friend, it has everything to do with coaching – and how people perceive you.
Regardless of where you’re at, you should make it a goal every single day to be the best coach in your gym.
The coach that everyone wants to work with.
The one who pays attention to all the little details when they’re coaching.
Who know’s what’s going on in their life.
And the one who clients and athletes know get results.
Because kind of like my haircut (that I didn’t really need) most clients and athletes these days don’t NEED you as a coach.
Yes, I know that’s a blow to the ego – but it’s true. And it goes for me as well!
I’ve trained many of my pros for 7, 8 or even as long as 9 years now.
They know most of my tricks and what I’m going to pull out of my hat.
But they also know that every year, I’m going to be doing something a little bit better than the year before.
They know that I’m locked in on them athletically, but also what’s going on in their lives as well.
And perhaps most importantly, they know I’ll get results and get them back out on the court for another year!
So that should be your goal – wherever you’re at, to be the best damn coach in the place.
Period.
But here’s the thing…there’s also a ceiling on that.
What if you’re in a tiny, two coach gym and the other person is more interested in doom scrolling on IG than they are learning how to level up as a coach?
Well, this is where you have to get out of your comfort zone and upgrade the people around you.
I think about all of the most successful and growth-focused times in my life, and I was always surrounded by people that were either at my level or above it.
I always tell Kendall that her goal as a soccer player should be to get around players better than her, because that will make her level up faster than ever before.
In the world of hoops, I’ve seen this numerous times with my basketball players as well.
In the 2019-2020 season, Glenn Robinson III signed with the Golden State Warriors.
Yes, THOSE Golden State Warriors – winners of 3 NBA championships at that point in time.
Now Glenn was a pretty damn good shooter going in, but how much better do you think he got when he could ask Steph or Klay what they do to lock in their shooting mechanics?
Or even better, to watch them shoot EVERY SINGLE DAY?
Another example was my guy Ed Sumner when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
Here he went to a team with two of the greatest scorers/finishers of all-time – KD and Kyrie.
Again, how much better do you think he got just by watching these guys work out every day?
Or pick their brains about the little details that made them great?
So here’s the big point of all this:
If you truly want to level up in your career, you need to simultaneously work to be the best at your craft every single day, while simultaneously humbling yourself by getting into better rooms and around higher-level coaches.
This is the real secret sauce.
It’s about putting in the work every single day.
Getting the reps.
Being okay with the mundane or even “boring.”
Because you realize that’s what makes you better.
But then on the flip side, you’re constantly working to get around better coaches and practitioners.
Even if you’re the best coach in your gym, there are better coaches out there.
And the only way to get to that next level is to see it, be around it, and aspire to get there yourself.
So there you have it my friend – I hope this little article has inspired you to continue to level up, and get yourself in the right rooms.
Now get out there and MAKE IT a great week!
All the best,
MR
P.S. – If you’re looking to level up the room you’re in, be sure to check out either my upcoming Montana Workshop, or my Program Design Mentorship.
And if you want to learn more about the above, here’s an article and a podcast you might enjoy:
10 Ways to Upgrade Your Body, Business and Life as a Coach
The Shamrock System – Plus, Minus and Equal
