Well, we are in week three of our "Coach'em Up" series, and today's session is all about confirmation. You might be thinking, if we're winning then that is our confirmation. You may be partially correct, but regardless of the score on the scoreboard, you may be doing everything right and still coming up short at the end of regulation. There's an old saying in education that the students don't care what you know until they know that you care. That simple truth plays well with the concept of confirming your athletes/students/children/ or coworker’s efforts and outcomes.
When we confirm that someone is doing the right thing, that sends the message that what the person is doing is important, and that their efforts are noticed. You noticing that a student in your classroom has improved their grade in your class, or that they made the highest grade in your class for the first time all year, sends the message that they are important to you and you noticed what they did. When you come home from work and the house is in top notch shape, a little confirmation showing you noticed goes along way. For our athletes, we should always be giving an "E" for their effort, this confirmation allows the player to see that their hard work is paying off.
It is important to not get caught in the trap of taking things for granted. When we assume that those we coach/teach know how much we notice their efforts or how much we appreciate their attitude then we are leaving out a critical component in the growth mindset of those we work with each day. Developing a growth mindset involves confirming that progress is being made and also that support is there to see the progress result in success, if we stay the course and notch up our investment of time and effort. The other end of the mindset spectrum is the fixed mindset which says play it safe, don't take risks that might make you look like a failure. A person with a fixed mindset won't stretch their limits because they are afraid of failure and looking bad. A little confirmation along the way can keep the wheels turning on progress over perfection most every time.
So, what does the Bible say about confirmation? Joshua 1:9 tells us to “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Confirming that you are there with your athletes and that you there to support their efforts regardless of the outcomes builds confidence and the vulnerability to step out and try without fear of ridicule or condemnation. If you teach, if you coach, (remember we are all coaches to someone) then it is our responsibility to create a safe zone for those you work with to grow. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” By showing our confidence in our pupils we are confirming that we believe in them and that gives them the strength to continue moving forward. It's too easy to just assume they know you see their efforts and progress, it is a tremendous boost just to hear the simple, sincere phrase, "I can tell you are improving, I've noticed your effort." A paramount reason to confirm effort of those you coach would be found in the book of John 8:31-32, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Did Paul suffer and experience defeat even though he was a follower of Christ? Weren’t the disciples always a step away from being persecuted and possibly executed because they were doing their Master's calling? Jesus provided this confirmation recorded in John 8 in an effort to say you will have struggles in this life, but if you continue and push forward you will be set free regardless of the chains that man might impose. John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus literally was providing confirmation to His followers to keep going, keep fighting, keep working towards the goal, because I did and you can too!
When my German Shepard Jazi and I took part in an obedience training class one of the most important aspects of that training was to continually confirm that she was doing whatever the skill was we worked on that particular class. At work, there isn't anything too much more pleasing than to be recognized for doing a good job. In the classroom, a note on a graded paper recognizing hard work and outstanding effort can change the trajectory of a student, and on the court, mat, or field telling your athlete that they are doing a good job all pay big dividends for the recipient of those remarks. Keep the positives coming and focus on the growth and effort!
You are amazing, stay the course and "Coach'em Up!"
Coach Carter
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