Have you ever had a conversation or interaction you have reflected on over and over again? I had mine, 5 years ago to the day in El Segundo, California. Still to this day, I think it may have been the most nerve racking day I experienced, but one of the most impactful of my life. I was able to meet with Hall of Fame Coach, George Raveling. Now I just call him Coach. He’s a friend, mentor and educator. He inspired the development of Coach To Lead. He inspired my choice to accept my coaching calling. He’s inspired me to become a better leader of myself and of those around me.

He asked me what my 5 year plan was that day. I had one, and thinking back to how our conversation went and how those 5 years have gone, I couldn’t help but be grateful.

As I re-read notes, depending on where I’m currently at in life, different aspects of our conversation speak to me differently. Two of my favorite books, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and “How To Win Friends And Influence People” by Dale Carneige tie back into the lessons I learned from Coach. In the simplest of terms, I think there’s two big factors in obtaining what we desire.

1. Habits
2. Control what you can control, specifically how you think

I’ve shared these in the past, but I think they are worth re-sharing again. 

Here are some thought provoking and inspiring questions Coach Rav asked me. I encourage you to ask yourself the same questions.

• What’s most important to me right now?
• What do you really want to do with your life?
• What are you willing to sacrifice?
• How do I get above average?
• Who can help me see what I don’t see?
• What do I need to know? What don’t I know?
• How will I acquire unique knowledge to set myself apart?
• Who do I listen to?
• Where, when, and how do I want to get there?
• Is success material to me?

Here’s some advice Coach Rav shared. He taught me to continually pursue and acquire knowledge, particularly through books.

• Secure transferrable skills (communication, leadership, problem solving) – pick a skill and study everything you can about it for a year
• Create a 5-year plan and take smart risks to make it happen
• Make adjustments to your plan, just like you would if coaching a game
• Be simplistic and realistic
• Never take a job for the money, take it for the opportunity
• If you’re as good as you think you are, you’ll get paid
• Growth habits leads you to a destination
• Be committed and disciplined to your plan
• Once you commit, walk the walk
• Surround yourself with amazingly intelligent people
• Build good habits to grow – They’ll compete against your other interests
• Commit to growth and success – acquire and master skills
• Be authentic because you’ll be more relatable
• Sustain success, learn lessons, fortify experience
• Hold yourself accountable to the responsibility you have to be yourself
• Lead yourself – If you can’t lead yourself you can’t lead someone else
• Control what you can control, particularly how you think
• Take charge of your life and you’ll be more productive
• Validate yourself or you won’t be who you really are

I had decided to make Coach Rav a mentor of mine before I met him. When I was able to meet him face to face, he made the comment that he had mentors that he had never met in person. Coach inspired me that day like he’s inspired so many before me. My hope is you’ll leave feeling inspired as well.

“If there’s going to be a positive difference in my life, I have to initiate it.” Coach George Raveling