-
Life Lessons from an NFL Coach
Somehow the Universe gave me the gift of working with former NFL coach and amazing human being, Golden Pat Ruel, on his funny, heart-warming, wisdom-packed memoir, The Making of a Coach. And while I guided him through the first draft of his journey from a teenage boy gearing up for high school football tryouts to a seasoned offensive line coach who helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, he coached me on the fundamentals of life.
I learned so many things from this remarkable coach and friend, but here are a few highlights:
- The best way to inspire excellence and elevate one’s game is to focus on what’s working well and why, verses harping on what’s not.
- Don’t get captured by toxicity or negativity. We can’t always control what life throws our way, but we can control what we do with it—and that’s what matters most.
- Gratitude is everything. Be grateful for all the people and experiences that have, and will continue to, guide you on your journey.
- It’s all about the effort. Always give everything you have to whatever endeavor you take on.
- It takes strength to be vulnerable. In fact, vulnerability is a powerful way to connect and forge bonds
- If you want to create a great culture, have fun, have a sense of humor, have mutual respect and always have each other’s back.
- Sometimes you have to fight for what you know is right—even if it means taking some personal punches along the way.
- When the going gets tough, the tough put on their hurdle jumping shoes.
- And finally – life is like a football game. It’s not over until the final second of the final quarter, so don’t ever give up.
Coach Ruel is a born storyteller with a heart of gold, an unshakable moral compass, a bit of an Irish temper and a sense of humor to boot. He may have retired from his NFL coaching career but now Coach Ruel is bringing his secret sauce to the rest of us — and I have a feeling he’s just getting started.
