TPC (3 words to unlock your Destiny)
Posted: Monday, August 04, 2008
by Tony Price
The Darker Shade of Sports
Proverbs 18:31 "Death & Life are in the power of the tongue"
Translation words that are spoken, written and received are powerful . As a coach no one understands the impact of words more than I. I have personally witnessed the impact words (positive & negative) can have, particularly on young people. All across the world coaches are either lifting up or tearing down someones dream, this is a great responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It should be noted that coaches are not just athletic personnel, they can be parents, teachers, supervisors, mentors, and older siblings. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing from a series I've put together over the years titled "A Coaches Words" this is a collection of motivational affirmations that I've come up with based on my own personal experiences, sermons, casual conversations and literature. I often share these with athletes, youth groups, ministries and others when invited to speak at events. Let me start off by saying that TPC doesn't stand for Tony Price is Cool or TP's Chill as the youngsters say.
Talent- These are the gifts you were born with(you did nothing special to obtain them) you came pre-wired with them interwoven into your fabric. Your talent often lies within things that come naturally to you, things that others admire or have to practice for hours to become competent. i.e singing, organization and athletic ability. Your talents are often discovered when you engage in activities you have a passion for.
Purpose- This is the reason why you have the talent(s), they were meant for you to fulfill a plan and to share with the world. For instance let's take the talent of singing, there are lots of people who call themselves singers(some really can carry a tune, while others?). Once people discover they have the gift of singing, they must then decide what type of music they are led to sing (R & B, Soul, Country, Classical, Opera). It is here that they must ponder the impact they'd like for their musical gifts to have on those who hear, gospel singers realize their voices are instruments designed to create an atmosphere of praise and worship.
Calling- This is the place or physical location where you exercise and display your gifts for the reasons you have discovered. Your calling could be your place of employment, neighborhood, church, city, on a team, etc Someone who is gifted in teaching, realizes their purpose is to educate, enlighten and empower others in their specific area of expertise, the place where they display their talent for its purpose could be a classroom, board room, football field or a recreation center.
I conclude by explaining that the first 2 letters (T & P ) will never change, you will take them with you when you pass away, but the "C" calling is the area that requires the most flexibility, often times the place where you currently are may be temporary or not the location where you can be most effective. As you develop your talents and mature into the understanding of your purpose, you will experience a series of callings(places) Keep an open mind!
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Very good article Tony. Are you also a Bible teacher? The power of the tongue can make or break you. Keep writing. God bless you.Hi MichelleThank you for commenting on the article (TPC), I hope you found it inspirational and worthwhile sharing with others, especially if you have any young people you encounter on a daily basis. To answer your question I am not a Bible teacher, but do believe in and quote a few of the scriptures as the need arises.
Hi, Tony. Your approach reminds me of what I read about Coach Wooten years ago - his balance of positive comments and correction with the team. I enjoyed this article's message.Hi JaneThank you so much for sharing your comments, and I'm flattered by the Coach Wooden comparison. Coaching is much more than wins and losses, we just have to keep reminding ourselves of that fact. Thanks and please share with others
Tony, this is a wonderful article. I wish some of the coaches and teachers in my grandchildren's school had your insight. My granddaughters have oftentimes come home in tears over something one of their coaches or teachers said to them that day. You truly have a wonderful attitude toward teaching and inspiring our young people.Thanks so much for sharing this great article with us.SandraSandraUnfortunately many coaches don't realize the long lasting effects of our words on the next generation. Growing up I had my share of bad experiences with coaches and the words they used, I try my best to remember those feelings when I address my athletes, I'm honest and direct, but try to leave them motivated and encouraged to go on. Thanks again for the comments and please share with your granddaughters so they know not all coaches are the same (smile)
Tony, I am consistently reminded of "coaches". In my opinion and by nature of experience there are those with integrity, honor, discipline and character and then there are the "me type" others. Unfortunately, the word of this century, the "others" seem to be more predominant in this age. Not that they didn't exist throughout history, just more predominant. It seems these days people are searching for a coach, someone that can counsel them, help them get through this world. It is a sign of this age that is in many forms right before us. My advice never select a "coach" or mentor by sound, words, the cover. Look deep at the heart, their works, what they have done and failed to do, the fruit of their labor, ie, Tony Dungy. Then you will find a man who is truly someone who can lead you in the right path, that is if you willaccept what he says? Therein lies the problem. If Jesus, the greatest coach of all time, can't get people to understand the simple truth, what mortal man can?RobertFunny you should mention Tony Dungy, he's one of my favorite coaches and I really admire the way he carrries himself with dignity and a sense of humility in a sports where that is definitely not the norm. The key thing to also remember is that Coaches are relevant in all careers, not just athletics and their leadership styles often have long lasting effects (good or bad). There was no greater leader than Jesus, and look what he endured even amongst his closest associates.Thanks for the comments
Hi Tony,Great article and very well written. I am a mother of 4 girls and neither of them are in any sports. However, years ago my nephew was in sports and I had gone to pick him up. I heard the coach screaming at him and the words that I heard him yelling instantly made me mad. My nephew walked away feeling less then. I don't think any amount of words I said to him could undo what the coach said to him in front of everyone no less. Little did this coach know about the other areas of difficulty he had in his life, and the impact of his words stuck to him like glue. It was at that time I was grateful that my girls were not into sports and had to endure such cruel words from coach who had no business working with children. I pray all coaches, teachers, and mentors read your article and learn that words are incredibly powerful and they can make or break a spirit of the person on the receiving end.P.S. I joined your fan club.Hi AngieThank you for those wonderful words about the article. Unfortunately the experience your nephew went through is all too common today. I think many coaches get caught up in winning the game, that it becomes more important than anything else. And the young people are often the ones who are sacrificed. I have my own horror story with a coach who used some choice words on me at the age of 12 before kicking me off the all-star team and to this day I'll never forget the hurt that I experienced. I've made a concerted effort to remember that experience as I deal with young athletes. Thank you for the prayer of having all coaches, mentors and teachers read this article, if good people like yourself share it with your family and friends this message could be spread around the world in no time with today's technology (smile) also I appreciate you joining my fan club, I'll return the favor.
what are the 3 words to unlock my destiny
what are the 3 words to unlock my destiny
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