Success is not in the closest spot to the Walmart Entrance

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I told you I would tell you about the “Bruder Sisters”, but this one is specific to Heather. Coach Bruder - Bluffton University. Mostly, because I played for her. But also because its the only person I can truly say I had experiences with. Coach Bruder was unique, persistent, she loved her PEOPLE, she loved the environment she created because she knew it was for the better of the women she coached.

She took care of us like one of her own. It wasn’t because it was her job, or her responsibility, but it was her conviction. We worked hard, for each other, for her. I won’t get too far into the details, but the video above should paint a better picture for you of how our program was ran.

Now remember, I transferred in mid-semester from a Junior College close to home. I started talking to Coach Bruder in November of 2010, I was on a visit in December, committed a week later and moving to Ohio right after New Years.

I think the snow was just done melting, my car was acting funny, so I had asked Coach where I could go outside town to get it fixed. With zero hesitation she was out in the student parking lot, problem solving. I can’t exactly remember what was wrong, but it was an easy fix with some stuff from the store. Bluffton was a town of 2,000 people, closest Walmart was 30-min north or south. You see where I am going with this?

We got to Walmart, my teammate, coach, and I.. and I was driving around looking for a parking spot. You know, the closest one to the entrance. But I wasn’t doing it for very long. I think I got down one isle before coach looked at me and asked, “What was wrong with all the open spots in the back of the parking lot?” I felt like at the time her question was rhetorical? I wanted to be like “Coach, cause its far from the door?” But I knew that wasn’t the right answer. I think the silence in the car spoke 1,000 words. She looked at me again and said “Don’t be that person who drives around the parking lot looking for the closest spot to the entrance.”

Thing is, I wasn’t a lazy kid. I truly wasn’t. I had too much of a guilty conscious to cut corners. But I thought that is what everyone did; try to find the closest spot to the door?

That story, Coach “lecturing me”, was about more than the closest spot in the Walmart Parking lot. I think at the time, my 20-year old brain was like, “Ok, I wont do that again?” And I didn’t. I haven’t. Matured “me” has pieced together why that conversation continues to be relevant in my life.

1. Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t mean its right.

2. “Short-cuts” aren’t always the “right” cut.”

3. Nothing worthwhile every comes easy.

You are probably thinking, “coach chill.. it’s a parking spot.” Truth is, if you aren’t in touch with how you manage and discipline your life, you will regularly be surprised by the outcome. Discipline is hard. But it starts from doing the little things right.

Have you ever seen the University of Texas at Austin Commencement Address by Admiral H. McRaven? In 2014, this speech was viral, people still talk about it today. The whole speech is so moving, but there is a point in the beginning where he talks about accomplishing the first task of the day.. “make your bed” and you’ll have a small sense of pride. It’ll encourage you to do another task, and another. By the end of the day, you’ll have a list of tasks completed. “It shows you that the little things in life matter.” If you have 20-min, give it a listen.

Listen, I am not telling you that if I see a parking spot open in the front… that I don’t go park in it. But can promise you, I don’t drive around looking for a parking spot.

Take the road less traveled, learn to understand why things may not have gone the way you wanted, learn to be comfortable uncomfortable, manage and discipline your in a way that guides you to your dreams.

Until next time, #12 out.