A bit of a rant really...

So, GFS is in a slight transition state right now. The events that occurred in Christchurch over the last 6 months have meant the future will look different in the next 12-18 months. I may not be in Christchurch over the summer of 2011-2012 so a "heads up" that things will change in the months ahead.

Anyway, partly as a result of the above I have been trying to make some progress on making sure GFS athletes stay healthy and strong in the future. Getting good support staff around my athletes has always been a high priority for me and it is disappointing to say that there are not that many world class experts that live in this part of the world to help my athletes. One who clearly is is my physio Vanessa Trent but sadly she is very likely to be moving out of town in the months ahead. This is a shame but totally understandable as she needs to look after the welfare of her family and children in particular.

Vanessa possesses skills that are world class. She is thorough and logical in her approach. She is well qualified and achieves results. What else do you need? Well to those I have been talking to in the last few days and to many more that I seem to continually come across in my daily existence....I would say you need an openness to learning. An openness to accept that you will never know all there is to know and to always listen to what someone else to say. If it is totally not what you believe then at least it should make you re-evaluate what you believe (which is always a good thing) and examine why do I not believe or agree with that person's point of view? On the converse that person may have something you have never even considered before and therefore it should get you excited that maybe you have a little more of the puzzle solved.

I wish I could say I meet people like this on a daily basis. I wish they were open to learning. To listening. To realising that maybe they don't know it all and to not being scared or intimidated when someone challenges their point of view or belief. This little country would be a far better place if we weren't so closed in our opinions and we sought the viewpoints from as many people as far and wide as we could.

I would certainly like to think that I try and keep myself open to learning, it was part of why I went and travelled the world in 2003 on a Prime Minister's Coaching Scholarship. To try and see what others were doing, to learn and to have more tools in my tool box. I try and keep this attitude alive and kicking on a daily basis. I like to think I am and will always be open to learning new things.

Maybe I should end this now. Enough ranting and raving. Maybe it is not worth the frustration that I feel that people are always wanting to go slower and take more time and not challenge the status quo. I find that so difficult to work with. Bugger.

The last while I have seen two things that have made an impression on me.

One, someone rewarded after a long period of committed training. To this person I am extremely proud of and I take my hat off to them. They have worked tirelessly and have never given up. They have done what has been asked of them and more. They have crossed all the t's and dotted all the i's and now they have been rewarded. I am proud to say that I coach them.

Secondly, to those maybe need to heed the thoughts of the one of the great minds of human kind...to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result is the definition of insanity....are you making the same mistakes over and over yet expecting a different outcome?

So, I have been away for a week driving round the South Island on a road trip holiday and I had plenty of time to think. Think about life, why I do what I do, what and who are important to me, what has meaning to me, what gives me pleasure, what drives me and what is it that I want in my life from here on.

Lots of things came up. Mixing with people who give rather than who take is one of them. People who share the same passion as I do and who want to push themselves to achieve, in any shape or form, was also another one. People who have passion and are proactive are important to me. People who don't sit back and wait for things to be served on a plate get my respect. People who are aware of others around them and how their behaviour can influence the lives of others are people I want in my life.

I saw this post on a friends facebook page this morning...

Richard St. John's 8 secrets of success | Video on TED.com

www.ted.com

and there is a lot in this 3 minute piece that I really like. Maybe some people will read it and see where I am coming from. Maybe this might influence their behaviour, who knows.

There is some serious potential for my coaching job and GFS situation to change in the next few months and I may not be able to work with all those athletes that I currently do. Some athletes will be invited to continue with me whilst others may have to find another coach. Those who continue with me will most likely be those who possess the things that I think are important in life.