Good read. Thanks for posting Ben. Draw lots of parallels myself with what you say about struggling to get some ideas across. I've accepted this is something like golf, which we get better at but never perfect.
Hi Ben, thank you for putting your thoughts out there for all to see what you have gone through. Can I please ask if you can provide your thoughts on how coaches gave individuals and teams feedback and what methods resonated with the players (especially younger players) and what didn't.
Thanks for this mate - I really enjoyed reading it. Honest and open whilst also being concise and clear, which in my experience is a hard balance to achieve.
Benny, you write beautifully! Engaging, raw, honest and vulnerable. It takes a lot of courage to share your writing and your journey. Well done my friend. Keep it up.
Really enjoying your blog already Ben; thoughtful and honest. Please keep going.
I have a few different roles, all of which I really enjoy. Lots of my conversations I have, particularly with youth, focus on developing a positive future focus, setting realistic process goals, small wins etc. I often reflect on advice I heard from a very experienced rugby coach early on in my coaching days. His statement to a group of schoolboy rep players was ‘your work off the ball is more important than your work on the ball!’ Is this something that was discussed at the highest level? Can you relate?
Thanks Josh. At Brumbies, we always had a heavy focus on "working hard off the ball" and this something that still resonates with me today. How much work I'm doing when no-one is around... that's when the real hard work begins I believe. The training you do away from training is where the improvements come.
Ben, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as Kate commented it takes a lot of courage. Without wanting to put to much wind in your sail, just wanted to say from my perspective as a fellow prop, father, and business owner, you appear to be doing a lot of things right. Most importantly you have a wife and family that love and respect you, you have a community around you that think the same of you as your wife and children. You are a kind, caring and compassionate man, elite sportsperson and successful businessman. Sometimes you need to step outside yourself and see what others see in you. You are Australia's most capped player in the toughest position on the field, harness that strength and self belief you felt when staring down your opposition seconds before you "packed in". I'm sure you never doubted your ability to get the job done then and I know a person with your drive and tenacity to overcome life's obstacles, like you have done in the past will continue to succeed at whatever venture or project you commit to in the future.
Thank you Richard. Totally agree, as the pandemic has allowed me ample time to slow down and reflect. Really appreciate your words of support, and I hope Angus is behaving himself!
Hi Ben, this is great. Thank you for making the effort to share. Have already dug out some pearls for the kids on game day. Keep up the good work, Cheers.
Your honesty is always your strong point Ben and the fact you are always ready to seek and listen to advice. I do believe you are a better communicator than you think
Really enjoying your blog Ben. I loved the image of the messy filing cabinet! That is how my Brian usually feels to me so seeing it I could totally relate to that feeling. Keep up with the writing!!!
Fascinating mate. Fantastic introspection. The cornerstone of personal growth.
Thanks Lord. Being doing a "Monday game review" in order to prepare for the next match.
No stone unturned mate. Real pro.
Good read. Thanks for posting Ben. Draw lots of parallels myself with what you say about struggling to get some ideas across. I've accepted this is something like golf, which we get better at but never perfect.
Thanks mate. I think that struggle is more common than we realise. I used to think it was only my dingus brother and I who struggled with it "errrrrr"
Hi Ben, thank you for putting your thoughts out there for all to see what you have gone through. Can I please ask if you can provide your thoughts on how coaches gave individuals and teams feedback and what methods resonated with the players (especially younger players) and what didn't.
Cheers Doc. I'll give that some thought, as I was planning to discuss what I learned from my coaches in the next blog.
Hey Ben, I reckon you write pretty clearly, and you're definitely engaging. If you would like some help structuring your thoughts, start here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33206.The_Minto_Pyramid_Principle
It's pretty much required reading for all consultants when they start their careers.
Thanks for the recommendation Hutch.
I'm early into Bob Iger's "Ride of a lifetime" and thoroughly enjoying it so far. But will check the Minto pyramid next!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44525305-the-ride-of-a-lifetime?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=vRhdETwK3s&rank=1
Thanks for this mate - I really enjoyed reading it. Honest and open whilst also being concise and clear, which in my experience is a hard balance to achieve.
Thanks mate. It's bloody hard! I've found finding balance in general has been extremely challenging.
Benny, you write beautifully! Engaging, raw, honest and vulnerable. It takes a lot of courage to share your writing and your journey. Well done my friend. Keep it up.
Thanks Gaz! Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoying your blog already Ben; thoughtful and honest. Please keep going.
I have a few different roles, all of which I really enjoy. Lots of my conversations I have, particularly with youth, focus on developing a positive future focus, setting realistic process goals, small wins etc. I often reflect on advice I heard from a very experienced rugby coach early on in my coaching days. His statement to a group of schoolboy rep players was ‘your work off the ball is more important than your work on the ball!’ Is this something that was discussed at the highest level? Can you relate?
Thanks Josh. At Brumbies, we always had a heavy focus on "working hard off the ball" and this something that still resonates with me today. How much work I'm doing when no-one is around... that's when the real hard work begins I believe. The training you do away from training is where the improvements come.
Ben, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as Kate commented it takes a lot of courage. Without wanting to put to much wind in your sail, just wanted to say from my perspective as a fellow prop, father, and business owner, you appear to be doing a lot of things right. Most importantly you have a wife and family that love and respect you, you have a community around you that think the same of you as your wife and children. You are a kind, caring and compassionate man, elite sportsperson and successful businessman. Sometimes you need to step outside yourself and see what others see in you. You are Australia's most capped player in the toughest position on the field, harness that strength and self belief you felt when staring down your opposition seconds before you "packed in". I'm sure you never doubted your ability to get the job done then and I know a person with your drive and tenacity to overcome life's obstacles, like you have done in the past will continue to succeed at whatever venture or project you commit to in the future.
Thank you Richard. Totally agree, as the pandemic has allowed me ample time to slow down and reflect. Really appreciate your words of support, and I hope Angus is behaving himself!
Hi Ben, this is great. Thank you for making the effort to share. Have already dug out some pearls for the kids on game day. Keep up the good work, Cheers.
No worries mate, and thank you for making the effort to read it!
Your honesty is always your strong point Ben and the fact you are always ready to seek and listen to advice. I do believe you are a better communicator than you think
Thanks Anne-Marie! I do believe I'm getting better, and I was very lucky early in life to be taught that "it's ok to not have all the answers."
Really enjoying your blog Ben. I loved the image of the messy filing cabinet! That is how my Brian usually feels to me so seeing it I could totally relate to that feeling. Keep up with the writing!!!
Thanks Katy! Yeah, I'm surprised how many people have said they can relate to that image. Will do!