Schrödinger’s Work
I never did that in college. I really haven’t done that in any of my work-a-day life. And it has repeatedly bit me in the arse. If I have a new year’s resolution for 2018 it’s to take the advice from a PDF that’s online that advises aspirational and ambitious high school rowers to literally do the following (in the order of making my point and not in the order of the document):
- Face time! Be seen by the other rowers. Do not train by yourself or during “off hours.” It is important that the other rowers, especially the rowers who are in the upper boats, see you on the erg or in the weight room. They need to know that you are taking rowing seriously. They will play a role with the coach concerning your possible position early in the season
- “Face time”. Be seen at the boathouse or the gym with the other rowers. It is during the winter months that you start to build the trust of your teammates
- Speak with your coach early in the fall. Discuss your goals for the year, focus on improvement; 2K scores etc
- Write out your game plan on an index card for the test and hand it to a coach, coxswain, or teammate prior to the test so that they can coach you through the test
How On the Team are You?
If only I knew. I was the rower who is naturally gifted with height and natural strength so I would work out with the team and then go for jogs but I wouldn’t make a point of letting people know how actively I was running, doing sprints and calisthenics on my own. I would just show up when I was told to: Weekend workouts? I’m there! Twice-a-day workouts, happily! Three-time-day workouts, I’m your man. But I never hung out with any other rowers. I guess as an only child, I didn’t realize that what I needed to do was convert what I did as a sport in college: rowing, to who I was: rower. I really wasn’t a rower until I was actually an accepted and trusted member of the George Washington University’s Men’s Rowing crew team.
Show Your Work
I wasn’t popular and I didn’t pursue face time or male bonding. Every time I was tested on the erg or in a seat race, my natural size, strength, and my tendency to work out in absentia meant that I, the guy who really wasn’t part of the actual sanctum sanctorum of GW Men’s Rowing, was always able to earn my place in the best boats. Hell, I was too cool for that. I wasn’t a panderer. I just assumed doing all the hard work and studying my ass off and working my ass off in the library, in the dorm room, or on the National Mall running around the monuments late at night and on the weekends, was enough. It wasn’t. It isn’t.
Thanks, Coach
All this advice and more is thanks to Coach Eric Houston of the Kent School Boat Club. Remember, this advice is for High School rowers. Honestly, I could have used a document like this in elementary school, intermedia school, high school, college, and for the last 25-years in the business world. If I find this terribly interesting and instructional I assume that someone else might as well. I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. Good luck and let me know in the comments if you think this was helpful.
