My first ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) convention was in 2016. At the time I was a young excited coach ready to learn. I was at the convention by myself, and I didn't know ANYBODY. I spent most of the time propped at the main stage, feverishly taking notes and soaking in the knowledge. Networking was not easy for me being by myself, and initiating conversation was also not easy at the time.
Fast forward to the 2020 convention, I'm standing on stage receiving the award for ABCA NJCAA DII Assistant Coach of the Year, and the amount of connections I've made since my first convention blows me away. It's crazy, and I'm so thankful. I can truly say that all this has happened as a byproduct of keeping it about the players, continuously being curious/learning, and doing the best job I can at every stop in my journey...that's always been the focus.
I met a baseball journeyman this last convention in Nashville. A person who is equally thankful for the path he has taken, but been in it longer than me. This person said something to me that has been stuck in my mind. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something along the lines of "I'm convinced that if you do things right, surround yourself with the right people/environments, that baseball has a way of treating you right." He is in a position that he loves, and says that he often pinches himself as a reminder of where the game has taken him. He's earned it.
This is not a blog to brag about my accomplishments...that's not how I roll. I've never felt the need to do that. I want my actions to speak. Simply put, I've always wanted to do my best for the programs and the players I work for...and like this journeyman I mention above, I do truly believe that staying with that focus allows the game to take notice. Perhaps it's the baseball gods who are always watching.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received was "sometimes it helps to know people to get a job, but to keep your job it's about what you know." I feel like there are many that are too focused on making jumps as quickly as possible before they can prove to the game that it is time. Not enough people who can truly say they are "where their feet are." I think these people have poor "reference points." Meaning they are comparing themselves and their status to something that gets them away from what's most important...where they are right now, their growth, and most importantly the players they are gifted to coach. Every coaching journey is different, and all have ups and downs along the way. We all need to prove our worth, and that takes time and a constant desire to be better/do better. I believe all our calling is to do our best in this moment, and the next, and the next, and so forth. It's tough to do, but if we form that type of self-awareness, the sum of what it creates has to be powerful...not only for us individually, but everybody we are around.
I have lost out on several jobs. I treated these moments as learning experiences, and always held onto the belief that "what's meant to be, is meant to be." That was a lesson my mom instilled in me at a young age. In a way, it's another way of saying "trust the process." Another lesson I have learned from my mom is to follow your heart, and love what you do. There is no process to be had without this. Be grateful where you are, and do your best work there. I lost out on some jobs, other people were chosen ahead of me...that is alright. Sure it sucked at the time, but here is what really sticks out in my mind...the experiences/moments I have gained because I lost out of those jobs. If I had been offered and taken those jobs, I would have lost out on some great moments (regionals, world series', amazing player accomplishments, etc.). Most importantly what I think about is the relationships I would have lost out on. If I had gone elsewhere, I would have not met certain players, coaches, administration people that have had a powerful impact on my growth. Because of this, I am certain, and have faith, that everything has happened exactly how it was supposed to. "Everything happens for a reason." And again, no matter what the game is always paying attention.
This is a blog to express my appreciation of where I am at in my career/life. I have pride in that I feel like I've done things the right way. Maybe my reflection can be helpful for others, whatever your profession may be. In conclusion, here's what sticks out in my short journey to this point: be calculated with your decisions, love what you do, serve others, have healthy reference points to stay with what's most important, surround yourself with people who challenge you and make you better, be curious and work your ass off to find more answers, live a life of impact, be where your feet are...work to be the best at what you do. Let life fall into place. Let your work/actions speak.
I have been very fortunate. My hope is everybody can feel as grateful as I do. I don't have all the answers, just experiences that have powerfully shaped me. There are a lot more answers to find, and experiences to be had, surrounded by powerful environments and people. I look forward to that.
Do things the right way and "the game will take care of you." I truly believe that.
Thanks for reading,
Burm
Fast forward to the 2020 convention, I'm standing on stage receiving the award for ABCA NJCAA DII Assistant Coach of the Year, and the amount of connections I've made since my first convention blows me away. It's crazy, and I'm so thankful. I can truly say that all this has happened as a byproduct of keeping it about the players, continuously being curious/learning, and doing the best job I can at every stop in my journey...that's always been the focus.
I met a baseball journeyman this last convention in Nashville. A person who is equally thankful for the path he has taken, but been in it longer than me. This person said something to me that has been stuck in my mind. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something along the lines of "I'm convinced that if you do things right, surround yourself with the right people/environments, that baseball has a way of treating you right." He is in a position that he loves, and says that he often pinches himself as a reminder of where the game has taken him. He's earned it.
This is not a blog to brag about my accomplishments...that's not how I roll. I've never felt the need to do that. I want my actions to speak. Simply put, I've always wanted to do my best for the programs and the players I work for...and like this journeyman I mention above, I do truly believe that staying with that focus allows the game to take notice. Perhaps it's the baseball gods who are always watching.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received was "sometimes it helps to know people to get a job, but to keep your job it's about what you know." I feel like there are many that are too focused on making jumps as quickly as possible before they can prove to the game that it is time. Not enough people who can truly say they are "where their feet are." I think these people have poor "reference points." Meaning they are comparing themselves and their status to something that gets them away from what's most important...where they are right now, their growth, and most importantly the players they are gifted to coach. Every coaching journey is different, and all have ups and downs along the way. We all need to prove our worth, and that takes time and a constant desire to be better/do better. I believe all our calling is to do our best in this moment, and the next, and the next, and so forth. It's tough to do, but if we form that type of self-awareness, the sum of what it creates has to be powerful...not only for us individually, but everybody we are around.
I have lost out on several jobs. I treated these moments as learning experiences, and always held onto the belief that "what's meant to be, is meant to be." That was a lesson my mom instilled in me at a young age. In a way, it's another way of saying "trust the process." Another lesson I have learned from my mom is to follow your heart, and love what you do. There is no process to be had without this. Be grateful where you are, and do your best work there. I lost out on some jobs, other people were chosen ahead of me...that is alright. Sure it sucked at the time, but here is what really sticks out in my mind...the experiences/moments I have gained because I lost out of those jobs. If I had been offered and taken those jobs, I would have lost out on some great moments (regionals, world series', amazing player accomplishments, etc.). Most importantly what I think about is the relationships I would have lost out on. If I had gone elsewhere, I would have not met certain players, coaches, administration people that have had a powerful impact on my growth. Because of this, I am certain, and have faith, that everything has happened exactly how it was supposed to. "Everything happens for a reason." And again, no matter what the game is always paying attention.
This is a blog to express my appreciation of where I am at in my career/life. I have pride in that I feel like I've done things the right way. Maybe my reflection can be helpful for others, whatever your profession may be. In conclusion, here's what sticks out in my short journey to this point: be calculated with your decisions, love what you do, serve others, have healthy reference points to stay with what's most important, surround yourself with people who challenge you and make you better, be curious and work your ass off to find more answers, live a life of impact, be where your feet are...work to be the best at what you do. Let life fall into place. Let your work/actions speak.
I have been very fortunate. My hope is everybody can feel as grateful as I do. I don't have all the answers, just experiences that have powerfully shaped me. There are a lot more answers to find, and experiences to be had, surrounded by powerful environments and people. I look forward to that.
Do things the right way and "the game will take care of you." I truly believe that.
Thanks for reading,
Burm
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