Gratitude Journal

Published: 12/19/2018 Last Edited: 1/2/2019

By Coach Ryan

Mind Blowing Quote: “The rest is still unwritten.” - Natasha Bedingfield

Farewell 2018

In the spirit of the holidays, my wife Liz, suggested this week’s blog (pre-Christmas) would be a good time to reflect back on this year and remember several things I am grateful for in my life. While in researching for my other blog posts, I have seen reference to studies showing the positive effects a gratitude journal can have on your outlook on life. If it proves effective, this is certainly a habit I would like to instill within my teams one day. My plan is to start with three points of gratitude for the year. While the year is not over yet, I would like to spend a couple weeks to reflect on this past year before I make goals for the coming year. Starting week 1 in 2019, I will write at least three things I am thankful for every week. This blog will serve as my running gratitude journal.

New Year, New You

As you might suspect, this week's blog (post-New Year) is centered around inspiration for the new year; 2019. However, this year I will be putting a twist on the "New Year's Resolution" concept. As opposed to listing some New's Year's resolutions, I will instead be using Jon Gordon's "One Word" technique. You can read extensively on this concept via Jon's book titled, "One Word that Will Change Your Life." Essentially, the idea is you pick One Word and focus solely on fulfilling the word throughout the year. Jon Gordon states:

"One Word creates clarity, power, passion and life-change. The simple power of One Word is that it impacts all six dimensions of your life – mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Simply put, One Word sticks. There is a word meant for you and when you find it, live it, and share it, your life will become more rewarding and exciting than ever."

I came upon this concept only a couple months ago. Since then I have put a great deal of thought into my One Word. Despite other ideas, the word that keeps coming back to me is "Empower." I define Empower as: To give others control of their lives. If you read my The Power of Core Values blog, you will recognize Empower is one of my core values. And you will also notice, empowerment is ingrained in my Coaching Philosophy. Clearly, this concept is already important to me. As a coach, I exist to EMPOWER student-athletes; with hopes of sharing in their success.

As I thought more about the word, I began to realize I have not been empowering myself. If you have ever been a coach you will probably understand where I am coming from with this realization. During the season, it is easy to focus solely on your team and forget completely about your own well-being. Despite being "grownups," we still require Professional, Academic, Personal and Athletic development. We are only humans after all! Through out this year, I will not only continue to focus on my role as an assistant coach but I will also begin to put some attention on myself. Because if I am not reflecting a champion's mindset then how can I expect my team to? Below I will begin to list things I do through out the year which encompass my One Word:

2018

Year in Review:

1. I am thankful for my whole my family but especially my wife. She has guided us through one of the biggest transitions in our lives this past year; moving from Cincinnati to Columbus. Her wisdom and love have made our little family stronger.
2. I am thankful for the professional opportunities I have been given this past year, going from the University of Cincinnati to The Ohio State University. After seven years at UC, it was a hard transition but I knew it would be in the best interests for my professional and personal development. I always strive to learn more. But in order to do so, I knew I would have to get myself out of my comfort zone. Coming to Ohio State, I have learned so much from such great people. I look forward to learning more as I head into this coming year.
3. I am thankful for my friends. This past year, some of my closest friends have seen amazing success within their own lives. I see them achieving their dreams and excelling in their professions. Their success inspires me to push myself to new limits everyday. I have always surrounded myself with high achieving people for this single reason. As the old saying goes, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.”

2019

Week 1:

1. I am thankful for the New Year!
2. I am thankful for the opportunity to travel to UCA Nationals and help coach The Ohio State Cheer team.
3. I am thankful for all the free information people share via books, videos and the internet.

Week 2:

1. I am thankful to start the Spring semester and to see students back on campus.
2. I am thankful for the big steps that ere taken by the team this past week and weekend on the Nationals routine.
3. I am thankful for people's random compliments. Unexpected praise is always fulfilling.

Week 3:

1. I am thankful to have a roof over my head.
2. I am thankful for my wife. She is my rock.
3. I am thankful for one more week with the Nationals team.

Week 4:

1. I am thankful the team was rewarded for their amazing efforts this Nationals season. 2nd place feels pretty good.
2. I am thankful for the positive feedback I have already received from empowering my student-athletes.
3. I am thankful to have witnessed a championship culture on the cheer team this past Nationals season.

Week 5:

1. I am thankful for the opportunities to prove myself.
2. I am thankful to have attended the APPLE Training Institute in Orlando, FL this past weekend.
3. I am thankful to see so many friends and family this coming weekend.

Week 6:

1. I am thankful for a sharing a nice weekend with friends and family.
2. I am thankful for today.
3. I am thankful for the chance to grow this week.

Week 7:

1. I am thankful for the chance to interview 59 candidates for the Ohio State BGP 1.0 internships.
2. I am thankful for the forward progress being seen in preparation for the Buckeye State of Mind event.
3. I am thankful for my wife's investment in my own career.

Week 8:

1. I am thankful for having a life long Valentine.
2. I am thankful for a successful weekend full of cheerleading events.
3. I am thankful for the opportunities which lie ahead.

Week 9:

1. I am thankful for life's challenges. It would be pretty boring without them.
2. I am thankful for the opportunity to empower others.
3. I am thankful for my health.

Week 10:

1. I am thankful for my wife.
2. I am thankful for my grandparent's health.
3. I am thankful for having time to get back into piano lessons.

Week 11:

1. I am thankful for a chance to relax on vacation.
2. I am thankful to be travelling internationally for the first time.
3. I am thankful for the opportunity to experience a new culture.

Week 12:

1. I am thankful to have gone to Italy for vacation with Liz.
2. I am thankful for having the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn new perspectives.
3. I am thankful for the opportunities ahead.

Week 13:

1. I am thankful for Buckeye State of Mind to finally be here. Lots of work put into this event. Now it's time to enjoy the ride.
2. I am thankful for the support around me.
3. I am thankful to work with such great student-athletes here at Ohio State.

Week 14:

1. I am thankful Buckeye State of Mind went so well.
2. I am thankful for the chance to evaluate BSOM's success and see how we can improve its effectiveness for the future.
3. I am thankful for the chance to relax.

Week 15:

1. I am thankful for some time to get back into woodworking.
2. I am thankful for Liz's constant support of my dreams.
3. I am thankful for having gotten the chance to see some family this past weekend.

Week 16:

1. I am thankful for my health.
2. I am thankful for Liz and I's jobs.
3. I am thankful for the roof over our heads and the food on the table.

Week 17:

1. I am thankful for the semester to be over soon.
2. I am thankful for all the experiences I have had over this semester at Ohio State.
3. I am thankful to head into summer.

Week 18:

1. I am thankful to start practices again this week.
2. I am thankful for a chance to prove myself and my work this week.
3. I am thankful that the Peer Educator's Finals Week Stress Relief event went well.

Week 19:

1. I am thankful for the chance to go to Wolstein Leadership Academy again as a facilitator.
2. I am thankful to see our graduating seniors achieve their goals.
3. I am thankful for past student-athletes who reach back out to say thank you.

Week 20:

1. The rest is still unwritten