The Seed Sower Coach

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

Little Things and Interconnection

May 11, 2021

How often do you think back on how you got to where you are? Not necessarily where you’re located physically, although that can be part of it, but where you are in life? What are the little, seemingly minute things that got you there?

The Winter Dance Party was a 24 event tour that began in Milwaukee. Venues were scheduled haphazardly with travel to small Midwestern cities mostly by tour bus. Buses were notorious for unreliability, further exacerbated by often harshly cold conditions as those presented in the winter around the northern tier of states.

Among the performers were some of the top performers from the then emerging genre of rock and roll music: new artists such as Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson, and Dion DiMucci. Embarking on a solo career after terminating his relationship with the Crickets was Buddy Holly. Session musicians were hired for the tour including bass player Waylon Jennings.

Following a stop in Green Bay (yes that Green Bay) tour promoters sought to fill an open date with an unscheduled stop in Clear Lake, IA before moving on to Moorhead, MN for the next night’s show.

A little thing.

After playing the concert on February 2, 1959 and as the musicians prepared to load the bus for the 365 mile journey north, an opportunity presented itself. Holly hired a charter plane to fly him and his musicians to Minnesota. A little thing.

The equipment, a v-tailed Beechcraft 35 Bonanza, would accommodate the pilot and three passengers. Richardson, AKA The Big Bopper, was encountering flu-like symptoms and asked Jennings for his seat on the plane. Fellow Texan Holly jested to Jennings, “well, I hope your old bus freezes up,” to which the reply was “well, I hope your old plane crashes.” A little thing.

Valens wagered a coin toss with session guitarist Tommy Alsup for the last seat on the plane, a proposition to which Valens prevailed.

In the wee hours of the following morning, the plane embarked, only to minutes later plummet and crash at a severe angle just to the north of the Mason City, IA airport. There were no survivors.

In spite of the tragedy, the show did go on the next evening in Moorhead. An unknown 15 year old artist from nearby North Dakota was brought in to fill Holly’s slot because he was familiar with his lyrics. Throughout the remainder of that year and throughout the early part of the 1960’s Bobby Vee went on to become a teen idol and prolific recording artist. A little thing.

Twelve years following the tragedy, a musician and songwriter moved as a young teenager by the event and its aftermath in the music industry penned the words and a tune to reflect on a day that still resonated with him, It was a time when the “music died.” In 2001, Don McLean’s “American Pie” was voted #5 among the top 365 songs of the 20th century as so determined by the Recording Industry Association of America. Interconnectedness.

LEARNING NEW TRICKS

I am certain that as you reflect back you think of your own seemingly little things that have had significant impact in your life. For me I can think of several, some long ago, as well as other encounters more recent.

· Near the time of my high school graduation, and having no idea what I wanted to do with my life, my parents enlisted the aid of a career psychologist to help me discern. What I remember from his testing: “Given his wiring, Kirk will likely experience difficulty with college level coursework.” A little thing that ignited my motivation.

· A certifiable “gym rat” in college I misplaced my basketball. The group of guys I was in a pick up game with spent considerable time helping me search. So impressed and moved was I that when they invited me to a get together later that day I accepted. That group and community ultimately led me to not only my chosen career and secondary career, but to the woman I would eventually marry. Interconnectedness.

· When my mother sadly passed many years ago she left me with a small inheritance. With those funds we were able to invest in a modest vacation home in Florida that introduced us to this area that we grew to love. Four years ago we were able to leverage that endowment and permanently relocate here. A little thing.

· While trying to figure out my next path after a long career in human resources I happened to come across a vendor who also happened to do some coaching. My breakthrough moment was coming to the realization that I wanted to do what he did. Interconnectedness.

Life’s most significant intersections are often subtle, occurring when least expected. Even from the most disappointing and even tragic circumstances, good can come. Boredom and ambivalence may well be that moment in time when something big is about to occur. Savor encounters. Be aware of intersections. Witness interconnections. Celebrate little things.

The Seed Sower

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

Planting seeds of confidence . . .

Little Things and Interconnection

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LEARNING NEW TRICKS

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779