3 Reasons Why You Should Join the Next NHSSCA Conference Cruise
The National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) just wrapped up its annual conference cruise. For four nights, we sailed the seas from Tampa to Cozumel and back, participating in structured learning and plenty of “off-time” to brainstorm with experts about our craft. The coaches in the NHSSCA are servant leaders that innovate constantly and open-mindedly collaborate. Egos are checked at the door – everyone is willing to learn.
After spending four days with my brothers and sisters, here’s 3 reasons why you should join the next NHSSCA Conference Cruise:
That’s my wife and I with our ship “The Brilliance of the Seas” in the background.
1. We brought our families along for the ride.
Bringing our spouses, partners and children gave our families a chance to see the people that we work with and collaborate with on a regular basis. Our partners heard our challenges and understood us better – how we think and how we operate. For the coaches, alternating between focusing on our families to focusing on our craft led to better quality learning. We bonded together on a deeper level as we got to know the “#1”s in each other’s lives.
Our first morning at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.
2. A different environment = better learning
Being at sea took us out of our daily norm of being in a “weight room facility.” The unique setting helped us relax, and it was surprisingly easier to learn. Due to the nature of the trip, we learned as much during the “off-times” as much as we did during the “on-times.” During our structured learnings, we heard from experts and veterans in their fields. We took away a lot to apply to our professional and personal lives. During our free time, we’d relax and brainstorm the different challenges we faced in our industry, and we helped each other find creative solutions.
Coach Donnie Maib (@coachdonnie) talking about the importance of constant self-improvement.
3. Iron sharpens iron, and we feel a heck of a lot sharper, now.
There’s power to putting faces to names instead of just knowing someone online from their social media handles. We made new and deeper connections. We will support each other and better develop our craft. The advice that we received from everyone at different experience levels and walks of life was second-to-none. I look forward to developing these new relationships further and continuing the learning experience.
The next nation-wide event is the 2019 National Conference in Nashville, TN on June 28th and 29th. Learn more about the NHSSCA on their website, Facebook (closed group, request to join), Twitter, or Instagram.