Role Model

Being a role model is a full time job - 24/7 and 365 - especially when you are a parent. Your kids watch everything you do and try to mimic it as well. Don't let your guard done, because they don't turn off their eyes, minds and memories.

I am a believer in the model that I don't expect anyone to do anything that I have not done or am not willing to do myself. Others believe in the model that they will take on other tasks so they do not have to do something they don't like to do. Just don't pick the model where you expect everyone else to do everything for you.

I help coach youth basketball at my church as well as coach 6th grade girls basketball for one of the local high school affiliations. Being the basketball coach not only means teaching the kids how to be players on the court, but also how they should act on and off the court. You are not just their coach, you are a role model. They are always watching you whether you want them to or not. So if you want them to always perform well, you need to as well.

One of the hardest lessons to teach the kids is just because another team or player does it, does not mean that you can and/or should do it. In basketball, I believe in letting my skills do the talking on the court rather than talking smack. This is a lesson that I try to teach all my players. Make the other team respect you for your abilities. It's not always the cool thing to do, but it is the right thing. Other kids look at athletes as role models; so you never know how many kids are going to be affected by the way you act and teach your athletes.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. You never know who is watching and they just might do the same for someone else.