Bob Ladouceur spoke at the 2002 Schutt National High School Coach of the Year banquet, an award that he won. Here are a few of his thoughts that can apply to all of us--coaches, parents, teens....on motivation.
- Discovered that as his age increases, his IQ decreases. The older I get the more I realize how little I know--this is OK, it's the first step of self-awareness.
- Teenagers need trustworthy adults in their lives to help guide them--other than their parents.
- Remember Father Flannigan from Boy's Town--He said, "There's no such thing as a bad kid." I believe he was right. There is no such thing as a bad kid, but there are kids who make bad choices, choose bad behavior and sometimes are the victims of bad parenting.
- Teenagers are not lazy. When they have no direction, no passion or goals then the symptom is lack of motivation.
- Whatever we (as adults) want and need--Teenagers want and need also.
- Teenagers pay more attention to the messenger than they do the message. So if you are the messenger then live the message.
- Believe in a higher power. Personally, I am not smart enough or good enough to shepherd myself through life's journey. And what I found out is that journey is not an outward journey but completely and absolutely an inward journey.
- Everybody wants to be a success. I've never heard anyone say I want to be a failure. One person may have one idea of success, another person may have another idea of success may be. We measure our success by how well we have embraced the spirit and essence of those intangibles. Success to us is understanding that where preparation meets opportunity--greatness can be achieved. Preparation for us is long, tedious and difficult and the windows of opportunity are brief, short and intense. I know for a fact that nobody--at least our opponents--outwork us. We prepare well, and when ready, we welcome, not fear our opportunities. Hard work is the cornerstone upon which all achievement emanates.
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