Page 34 - Cornwall Sports Energy News Issue No 96, Mike Piquette

34 Issue #96 January 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

In The you might not have thought of on your opens many doors in the form of career
In

own. Similarly, offering helpful ideas is advice, lasting relationships, and even
ZONE attending professional and social events. know who might be hiring for your
an excellent way to build your reputation.
landing your dream role. You never
This can be done by regularly
ideal job or know someone who is. The
more people you have in your network,
I did this when I spoke at conferences
and co-authored the bestselling book,
to know when those big opportunities
INTENT, geared to fellow coaches the more likely you are to be the first
building a high-performance strength present themselves.
and conditioning organization. A network consists of those people
With Justin Roethlingshoefer that help you grow in any area of your
didn’t want anything in return. [Note from David: If you’re not life. For example, as you went through
Own Your Network At its essence, a network consists of reaching out to authors on the site like the module on wellness, you realized
Justin, you’re missing a great opportunity
othing is attainable on our own. My those people you spend the most time to get in direct contact with the best in working out was never your thing. In
Ncareer in hockey and as a strength around. While we naturally think of it the industry. I think reaching out to our an effort to incorporate physical fitness
and conditioning coach is evidence of as work-related, that’s only one kind site’s authors like Justin and scribing into your life, you started networking
this. So many of my opportunities as a of network. Maybe you’re a Peewee discussion on the forum mark two great with people who have been in the scene
player came from my connection with coach. Now you have a network of other networking opportunities you should be for a long time. I have related occasions
people from various backgrounds. coaches and the parents of your players. taking advantage of on HSC.] to network in various areas of business,
Later when they get older, some of those sports, and coaching. Creating and
The same thing happened when I began players might become part of one of One thing I enjoy about networking offering High Performance Living led
my career as a strength and conditioning
your networks as an adult. Perhaps you is the opportunity I have to exchange me into a new network as I surrounded
coach. I established a credible reputation volunteer with a charity and are offered knowledge with others in my field myself with people to help me in all
in my work at the college level and with a seat on the board. Now you have the and learn about the latest industry facets of this endeavor. I have a network
the Hockey Summit. This is a program I leadership of that organization as a developments. A wide network of that is assisting me with web design,
developed that attracted hockey players network, and whoever else it enables you informed, interconnected contacts means content, publishing, marketing, and
from the pros and colleges for a few to meet. Networks take on many faces. broader access to new and valuable other aspects I will be unveiling down
weeks during the summer in Florida. information. the road. If it takes a village to raise a
The goal of the Hockey Summit is to Networking is about building long- child, then it takes a small city to launch
provide the most comprehensive training term relationships and developing a good By continually putting yourself out a new enterprise.
environment for professional hockey reputation over time. It involves meeting there and meeting new people, you’re
players all under one roof. Using the and getting to know people who you can stepping outside your comfort zone and Be open to any opportunity to network
most advanced technology, equipment, assist, and who can potentially help you building invaluable social skills and if it’s going to be beneficial for you, and
and nutritional information available, in return. I became an excellent, natural self-confidence you can take with you you have something to add to the group.
the Summit addresses players’ needs and networker even when I was young anywhere. The more you network, the Think of life as a huge library in which
works with them to not only improve because I was always looking for ways more you’ll learn how to make lasting you have the potential to network in
performance, but also prolong careers. to help others. When you try to enter a connections. any category. You can pick the subjects
network with the attitude of “what can that interest you, and you can begin an
I’ve met many hockey players and I get out of this,” you’ll find yourself It’s easy to get caught up in the day- interaction with those in the network.
coaches through the Hockey Summit on the outside looking in. You have to to-day minutiae of your profession and Enjoy and relish the different networks
who speak highly of the camp to approach networking from the viewpoint end up in a rut. By talking to others in in your life. You will find that you will
teammates and other people they know. of “How can I be of service?”. It’s about your field or people with expertise in a often reap more rewards from your
Speaking at conferences and workshops forming trust and helping one another particular area, you can gain insight that network than what you feel you put into
provided further exposure. I credit this achieve their goals. only come from viewing a situation with it, but that is because you are enjoying
exposure for my hiring by the Anaheim fresh eyes. Asking for opinions from the experience.
Ducks organization to be their head By regularly engaging with your contacts you trust or admire can help you
strength and conditioning coach of their contacts and finding opportunities to see things in a new light and overcome I am hoping our discussion had you
minor league team, the San Diego Gulls. assist them, you help to strengthen the roadblocks that you might not have recognize networks you are already
relationship. By doing this, you set the known how to negotiate around without interacting with on a regular basis. If
What I had been doing all my life stage for members of your network the help. As long as you have a strong you never really understood the concept
since I was a teen was networking stepping forward when you need help to network of professional connections, of networking before, then you should
although I didn’t even know the term
achieve your goals. Much of this happens you can be confident someone within be looking at it with different eyes now.
back then. By reaching out and getting by simply sharing stories, lessons, and your sphere will be able to answer even I can’t emphasize enough the need for
to know so many different people experiences. Any network you belong your toughest questions. Even if there’s one-on-one, in-person contact with
throughout my journey as a player and to can be an excellent source of new no definitive answer, you’ll have a solid members of your network. Yes, digital
then as a strength coach, I made a lot of perspectives and ideas to help you in your sounding board to bounce ideas off of communication and social media have
connections. Because of my nature of
role. Exchanging information regarding and put step-by-step plans into action to plenty of positive points to offer, but
wanting to help people, most of the time challenges, experiences, and goals is a tackle more significant problems. nothing beats talking in person with
I made a favorable impression on those crucial benefit of networking because it
I came in contact with simply because I allows you to gain new insights which Finally, professional networking
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