Saying I love hockey is an understatement. After all, I built an indoor hockey rink in my backyard.
Decades before I had my own rink, I played competitively. After working my way up through the youth hockey ranks, I earned a spot on the University of Illinois hockey team. I had never been more proud of an accomplishment up to that point in my life. That feeling of pride wouldn’t last. After a solid freshman year, I was cut from the team.
I was devastated.
The emotional pain and feeling of loss hurt more than my parents’ divorce. Still, I wasn’t going to give up playing the game I loved so much. To make the team the following year, I needed to improve, but to do that, I needed to spend more time on the ice.
As an eighteen-year-old college student without a full-time job, my own rink, or a spot on the hockey team, I didn’t have the money or access needed for adequate ice time. I did have a phone, and just a few days after being cut from the team, that phone rang. A team of 10-13-year-old kids was in need of a new coach. It was clear from this conversation that the rest of the league considered these kids to be misfits. They weren’t at the same level as top players in their age group, but wanted to continue playing.
The position didn’t come with a salary, but it did come with unlimited ice time.
While I initially accepted the coaching position for access to the hockey rink, I wasn’t taking the responsibility of coaching young players lightly. Now that I had replied yes to the email, I had to learn how to coach.
I went to the library on campus to see what books they had on coaching. After the librarian pointed me in the right direction, I saw a single book pushed out from others that was nearly falling off the shelf. The book was “They Call Me Coach” by John Wooden.
I opened up the book and just couldn’t put it down. I’ve since read about every book on coaching John Wooden has been mentioned in, and I consider him as my first coaching mentor.
“Success is defined as the peace of mind that comes from knowing you did the very best you could to be the best you could be.”
Coach Wooden taught me that coaching is more about preparing to win than actually winning. Whether on the ice or investing for retirement, success is never guaranteed, but planning, preparing, and constantly improving is more likely to result in a desired outcome.
My first season as a coach brought me more joy than I could’ve ever imagined. I fell in love with the team and returned the following season.
My access to ice time also paid off. I made the U of I team my junior year and was named one of the captains of the team my senior year. While I no longer play hockey competitively, I still coach both on and off the ice, and am starting my 29th year as a coach this fall.
How I Coach as a Financial Advisor
After becoming a Financial Advisor, I realized the way I approach finding and helping clients is very similar to how I coach hockey players. I noticed I was seeking out clients who wanted to become better investors and clients who wanted to improve to achieve their long-term goals.
As a Financial Advisor who approaches serving clients similar to a coach, I always try to do the following:
- Collaborate when creating long-term goals and plans
- Provide timely advice
- Help clients maintain focus
- Identify risks and blind spots
- Answer questions and concerns promptly
If you need any coaching or guidance when planning for retirement, contact me at ryan.oconnell@bloomingtreewm.com.
Disclaimer: Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.