As a freshman football coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, I was invited to attend the Green Bay Packers training camp, while Bart Starr was the head coach. The afternoon sun was hot and the humidity was high, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. You could hardly breath, it was so humid. I can remember several college practices that were like that. You couldn’t drink enough water to keep hydrated. You counted the seconds till practice was over. You wanted to be in the showers while cool water refreshed and cooled you off.

The practice started with the air horn, the players ran to their respective stations, coaches whistles blew and the drills began. The helmets and shoulder pads could be heard hitting each other during each drill. The grunts, groans, heavy breathing could be heard as the players beat up on the blocking dummies. The guys were cheering each other on as they went through the drills. The discipline professional athletes have is amazing. While waiting their turn for the next drill, many were working on their flexibility and observing each players techniques. Professional sports is all business, not only for the athlete, but the coaching staff and owners.

My first professional football tryout was for the World Football league, the Chicago Fire Football Club. After receiving the invitation in the mail, I was pretty excited at the time I got my invite I was a 21 year old kid. I remember showing up and there was well over a 100 guys starry eyed that were pretty excited. I looked around at those who were attending and saw all kinds of age groups. Some of the guys who attended were much older then I was and several out of shape. I suppose many of the guys who were given a shot at making the team was because they knew someone on the coaching staff or read it in the newspaper.

I was a 5’11” 245 pound running back, having no clue what would be asked of me. Our names were called off by the position we were asked to try out for. There were 25 of us hopeful running backs, split into groups of 5, and then we filled out more paper work. There were the typical questions of how long have you played for, which teams, your accomplishments, coaches references, etc. I handed in my forms, took a number and pinned it to my chest #3.

I was in the first group, we had to be timed in the 40 yard dash. I had a good time of 4.42. We were tested in our jumping ability in the standing long jump, I jumped over 7 feet. I was feeling pretty good by this time. Then we walked over to the bench press area about 35 yards away from the standing long jump area. There on the bench was 225 pounds, I knew that this would be one of my strongest events. A few guys went ahead of me, the best from those guys was 21 reps. It was my turn and I benched 42 reps. The coach that lead our group was pretty impressed, and started asking lots of questions as we jogged to the next station. I set the record for the entire tryout. He asked how I trained, how many hours I was in the gym.

Then came the flexibility tests, touch your toes, sit and reach, I did fine with those. This was an area that not to many athletes worked on, it was just starting to be a science for trainers. I did very little flexibility in high school and college, but did well enough to pass this part of the tryout. The next test was foot and hand speed. I have never in my life even seen such tests, I can tell you that, I am no dancer for sure. I failed horribly on my footwork. So, did most of the other guys who tested. I wasn’t alone. You could hear some of the guys complaining about this test.

We then ran through the cone zones. I did great in that drill, so did most of those in my group. The entire tryout camp was given a break as the coaches met in the middle of the indoor practice field. I could see them looking at their clip boards and talking. I was wondering which athletes they were going to cut while some other coaches were fighting to keep some of the athletes in the tryouts. Most ball players wonder how they were going to get cut! I’m sure we were all thinking about that, I know I was!

I was wondering about what other skill tests they had in store for us. I didn’t have to wait long. The next testing came in running through cones with the ball, catching balls in the flats. They also tested the running backs on running pass patterns. Then we were done! We were all called together, and the head coach told us that they would call us if we made the cut. He thanked us all. We were dismissed and walked out to the parking lot.

That’s when I started hearing the complaining begin from a group of guys walking to their cars, “I could have done better”, “that coach didn’t like me”, “that was dumb testing”, “I didn’t give it my best”, “I’m trying out for a better team”. I heard all kinds of excuses. Me, I was grateful for even getting a chance to get invited to a pro tryout. There are many gifted athletes who never get a chance to make the pro’s, but never do because of, BA’s..bad attitudes. They feel that the world owes them something. What gets you into the pro’s is hard work, determination, good work ethics, and making your own breaks. Talk to the right people, coaches, agents, present and former players. Knowledge is key to being successful in any pro sport.

The men and women we call, “Know it all’s”, forget about them, keep away from them, don’t hang around these kind of people, they will tear you down and hurt any chances of making any pro team. The advice they may give you, is not in your best interest. The problem with these people, is that they will live through your athletic abilities and your life. Get advice through experienced people who know what it takes to get in the pros. Seek wise counsel.

Do you want to get into the pros and need help? Are you thinking of trying out for a professional sport and you want some advice? Do you need someone who can help you decide if you have the right stuff to make a pro team? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should call and set up an appointment with Dr. Mike. He can help you on the pathway to your professional sports career.

In addition, online/phone Master Life Coaching is affordable, accessible, anonymous, and available by appointment, from the privacy of your own home. Avoid the travel and time it takes to get my office. Since you never have to leave the comfort of your own home to meet with me, your anonymity and privacy is completely secured and protected. I have many out of state clients who prefer this means of coaching, this is the most effective means for Life Coaching for those of you who live out of the Denver-metro area or are out of the state of Colorado.

I like most of you saw the instant replay of the last out of the perfect game pitched by Armando Galarrage. That’s when we all saw baseball umpire Jim Joyce call the runner safe. Then Jim Joyce did something highly unusual in this day and age of professional sports, he accepted responsibility and apologized. Did that shock you? I think what he did, took America by surprise!

Joyce said “I missed it, I missed it,” Joyce barked, his voice at the extreme end of anguished. “I took a perfect game from that kid who pitched a perfect game. “It was the biggest call of my career and I kicked the (s**t) out of it. “I’m sorry. I had a great angle and I missed the call.”

I have seen many blown calls by umpires, and refs in big games. I look at it as its part of life’s displeasures. Mistakes are common events that happen to all of us. When we can admit we have caused a few of them ourselves so much the better. Joyce, came right out and said he had missed the cal, that cost someone a perfect game. When Detroit Tigers pitcher Galarrage forgave Joyce, both men shared in a class act the world shared in. Still Joyce had a very hard time forgiving himself.

Leyland heard about Joyce’s psychological state in the Detroit Tigers clubhouse. “I gotta get over there,” the Tigers manager said, heading for the doorway, and for the tunnel leading to the umpire’s dressing room. Leyland returned 15 minutes later. “He’s better now,” the Tigers manager said, “forgiving an umpire who could not forgive himself.”

So, what can we learn from these two about real life situations we face everyday? For many of us who have played in sports, and have used the team work concept to make us better people in life. Do you have a coach that needs some forgiveness, or another player you need to forgive? Being part of a team is like being in a close knit family. There are differences in families, and that’s OK. Its important that you be able to talk out those differences! Coaches will try to keep harmony in the clubhouse, that’s their job. Players have that same responsibility to keep the peace. As a professional athlete what fans say about you, should be taken to heart. I am not talking about your skill set on the field, but your attitude off the field. If your avoiding fans, are known for having a bad attitude and not friendly, that gets around.

Approachable players and coaches are great ambassadors for the game. If a umpire and player can show the world that both can get over a bad situation and move on, how much more should we strive for the same thing. Attitude is everything!

I watched while my football team was getting beat up on the football field that late fall October day. We were getting outplayed by a great football team. Their offense was crisp; the defense crushed us all day. This was not a pretty game to watch or play in. When you play on the college level, your team mates are to keep their negative thoughts to themselves unless it benefits the team. I heard starters saying things that any coach would have benched them for.

One of my offensive linemen was complaining about the officials not doing their job. The line judge was missing calls he exclaimed, all the while this guy was getting outplayed by a star freshman lineman. I realize that in the heat of battle, we must take responsibility for our own mistakes. Any coach who is worth his weight in salt will observe and make changes that are necessary to win a game, that’s their job as a college coach.

There have been only a few occasions that I have seen and heard a player ask the coach to take him out of a game. Why? Because he was not doing the job needed to win a game, and realized the team was more important then his starting position. Now that’s a class act! In the game of life, have you ever known anyone, who was over their heads at work, tell their boss, please find someone else who can do this job? It’s out of my league; I am not qualified or competent to do it. Very few people do this, as they might get fired.

We all get frustrated at times in our lives, in our homes and on the job. We all probably can remember a time that we wanted to throw in the towel, but didn’t. We simply were frustrated with a bad situation and saw no way out of it.

I was as a freshman Football coach at the U of Wisconsin; I loved working with college kids. The level at which these kids played ball was at the top of their game. Football players get frustrated very easily; their skill set is second to none. The reason these kids are in division 1 colleges, they are the best in the country. They have the best athletic ability and were given scholarships based on how well they played and performed in high school.

To play at this level, there are skill sets colleges look at. Speed, strength, agility and flexibility. To play in any of the top colleges in this country, you must have all of these in place. I know these kids get frustrated very easily. You spend hours at practice, in the weight room and you have to keep your grades up! I can remember trying to keep my grades up, while working out in the weight room. I had my school books, in the weight room; it was a hard balance to maintain a good grade point average. I would Read science text books and pump iron at the same time.

So, how did I deal with my frustrations, well I first had to define them! Anytime we are making an effort and not getting anything in return we will feel the emotion of frustration. It comes in many forms such as, road blocks, barriers, hurdles, etc. All self imposed for the most part. There are mixed messages to being frustrated, one being that, you think that should be doing better then you really are. At least you can modify your behavior and can overcome your frustration. You know something’s not working for you and you need to make some changes to make it happen. Write down a game plan, what is it that you must do to overcome frustration? What is your first immediate reaction? Have that written down and take notes as you adjust for future frustrations. I did that and it helped a great deal. I kept track of what worked and what didn’t! I looked to hang around positive people, people who didn’t live in the past and make excuses for being frustrated. I wrote in my journals, how I over came frustrations. I identified a list of possible actions that I could take, what worked and what didn’t. Try some of these suggestions, they do work.

If you feel that you are in a holding pattern with your frustrations and want some help in dealing with it, you can contact Dr. Mike Brooks to help you! The more frustration you are able to deal with, you will get resolve and overcome it. Avoiding frustration, hiding from frustration, is not the answer, face it head on!

If you need coaching in dealing with frustration you can contact Dr. Mike Brooks by phone or his website. Here are some questions that might help you decide if you need additional coaching. Are you frustrated with work or home? Do need help in overcoming your frustrations, how to deal with them? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should call for an appointment.

How does Life Coaching work? You’ll meet once a week, by phone, for a one-on-one conference, usually 45 minutes a session. In each phone conference you’ll plan and review, together, each of your “Focus Goals” and action areas. In each session, you’ll also receive support and guidance in creating the right attitudes and motivation in the area’s that you want to work on most. In addition to the weekly phone conferences, you’ll also communicate by e-mail, so you’ll have help and support throughout the week.

If you need more information about the Professional Accountability Partner Program, call 303.456.0555 or go to contact Mike link to set up a free consultation appointment. Dr. Mike’s website is www.applicablecoaching.com all calls are confidential and your privacy is protected. Check out Mike’s blog at: https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/ I always welcome your thoughts and comments on today’s coaching article. Mike is also available for speaking engagements.

When I played football at Rich East high school in Park Forest in the suburbs of Chicago in the 70’s, football was king! We had 80 kids out just for the freshman football team. My freshman football coach was a well rounded and compassionate man. He taught us well and walked most of us scared and nervous kids through the process of becoming football players. I respected my coach, he taught me being a hard worker on and off the field, would help me in the classroom. He was right, it paid big dividends. I can remember during one game, we were getting trounced, in a big way. I was a 185 pound defensive lineman, the opposing teams halfback broke through our defensive line, and was going to score a 60+ yard touchdown. I ran the entire field trying to catch up to him and tackle him. As the time ran off the clock and the score was 55 to 12, we headed back to our locker room. The coach gave his closing remarks about the game to the entire team.

I can remember sitting on the floor staring at my football cleats, as he spoke. Then I heard my name being called out. I looked up at the coach, and he was sharing with our team, that only one player pursued the halfback down the field for 60 yards, and that was Mike Brooks. He looked at me in front of the whole team and said ” Kid, you ain’t no quitter”. That’s when I realized that no matter how hopeless any given situation is, you keep pursuing it. You don’t quit, you fight hard to make things happen. How many times have people given up to soon, just inches from a victory? I have to admit, I sure have!

If you want to make your business better, then do the right things to make it happen, make sure that your sphere of influence is with successful people and business people who have a vision and passion to succeed. If you associate yourself with people who have no desire or drive and only want to talk about being successful, then cut ties and run. Being a dreamer is great as long as you put action items to your dreams. I have been around people, who only talk and want others to make their dreams happen. I avoid these people in any and all business situations.

As a 12 year old kid, we would travel to Minnesota from Chicago to visit family during summer vacation, the trip was always exciting. I would get to see aunts and uncles, see my cousins, and grand parents. On one such trip, I remember a vivid talk I had with my great aunt Dorothy. She asked how old I was, and I told her that I was twelve. Then she asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up. I was excited to tell her that I wanted to be a pro football player and play for the Minnesota Vikings. Bud Grant, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings was a cousin of mine, and I admired him as a football coach. She turned and looked at me and said that I was to small and that would never happen! What her words did to me as a kid, just hurt beyond description. It was hard as a kid to get over her hurtful remarks. I wanted to show her that I was going to play pro ball. While growing up, remembering her stinging words as they helped me in the weight room at my high school. I became one of the strongest athletes in the state of Illinois, I set several records in weight lifting. Her remarks drove me to become focused on building my hidden talents. I used what was intended to hurt me, to become who I am today. Have you have someone in your life that hurt you with put-downs? Do you harbor bitterness and just have given up with your goals and dreams with the hurtful remarks aimed at you? Now is the time to take your life back from those who hurt you. Only you can make that happen.

All I can say is, use the remarks that hurt you to build a solid foundation to succeed and move on, become that person that will become successful and fulfill passions and dreams you have dreamed about. This isn’t rocket science folks, its simply working towards realistic goals and making them happen. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make your world change?

Have you had people tell you, “you can’t start a business, what are you thinking?” “There is no way you can get back into shape, your ‘re a heart attack waiting to happen!”, “Are you serious, you want to start a new career, that will never happen!”. These are just a few remarks that I have had clients tell me over the years. It breaks my heart when those we love or know, start being negative and downplay what excites us. If you’re ready and want to make some serious changes in your life, call me, and let’s talk. Sitting down with a Life Coach will help you plan out your future that’s realistic and in stages your comfortable with.

If you would like some help in dealing with negative people in your life, or a bad relationship that you’re in, you can contact Mike at 303.456.0555. If you need more information about the Professional Accountability Partner Program, call 303.456.0555 or go to contact Mike link to set up a free consultation appointment. Dr. Mike’s website is www.applicablecoaching.com all calls are confidential and your privacy is protected. Check out Mike’s blog at: https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/ I always welcome your thoughts and comments on today’s coaching article. Mike is also available for speaking engagements.