Being short-staffed can be a significant challenge that can impact the success of your team. Here are some tips to help address staffing shortages and ensure that your competitive swimming program runs smoothly: Prioritize the retention of experienced coaching staff: Experienced coaches are essential to the success of your team, so it’s important to prioritize […]
Research has shown that individuals tend to simplify complex decisions by relying on their basic preferences and judgments, rather than acting fully rationally. Being aware of our biases can help us understand how we see and interact with the world. Biases to be aware of: Confirmation bias: Individuals perceive evidence that confirms their beliefs and […]
Think Big, Act Small When it comes to achieving goals or developing new habits, we often approach them as all-or-nothing situations. However, breaking down goals into small steps can help us avoid fatigue and ensure we have the mental space to make progress while juggling other responsibilities. Benefits of taking small steps: Avoid fatigue in […]
As a nonprofit organization, your swim club’s bylaws are essential documents that outline how your club should run. They are a set of rules and regulations that govern the internal operations of your organization, including how it is structured, how major decisions are made, and how board members are elected. However, over time, your club […]
Procrastination is a common problem that many people face, whether it’s putting off a work task, delaying a personal project, or avoiding a difficult conversation. While it may feel good in the moment to avoid these tasks, in the long run, procrastination can lead to increased stress, missed deadlines, and a decrease in productivity. The […]
Many clubs operate thinking that it is the responsibility of the Treasurer to keep the club financially sustainable. This is an inaccurate assumption and one that can (and has) put clubs in a sticky situation. The reality is that the Treasurer’s responsibility is to record, report, and advise the board when it comes to all […]
Sports coaches and staff can use the Job Characteristics Model to increase job satisfaction and performance. This model was developed by Hackman and Oldham and it suggests that there are five core job dimensions that impact job satisfaction: task identity, task significance, autonomy, feedback, and opportunity for growth. While we often state that coaching or […]
Parents Know Best Until They Don’t. In a recent report from Inside Higher Ed, a survey of roughly 5,000 high school graduates showed an increase in parental influence on college decisions. Almost certainly caused by the pandemic, parents’ opinions and influence on college decision has become a much more important factor for high school students. […]
When people talk about their culture, they are certain they know whether it’s strong or has room for improvement. We can deeply feel when things aren’t working well, when behaviors aren’t the best, and when there is a lot of complaining from both staff and families. We know the culture needs to change. However, that’s […]
You can’t steal second if your foot is still on first. I love this quote. It’s visual for me. When I ask clubs what their Vision is for the next 1 to 3 years, I either get the ‘Oh Crap’ stares with the large slow blinks or some kind of flippant response about how they […]