The Art of Cross-Training

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been running into wall after “wall” in building my coaching practice.

Some days these walls are personal, some days they’re logistical, some days they’re completely random and I have no idea what to call them.

They aren’t necessarily a bad thing.

But they’re a pain.

And what’s an even bigger pain, the amount of time and energy it takes to navigate them!

As I’ve repeatedly approached these walls, and repeatedly attempted to go around, over, under, and through them, I’ve been thinking a lot about what leads to that choice.

What informs my action?

What inspires my approach to challenging moments?

What influences the way I think and strategize around the “daily fires”?

To answer these questions I’ve been observing my patterns and listening for what they tell me.

To my dismay, this weird self-inflicted house of mirrors has actually produced a bit of insight.

And I wanted to quickly share that with you today.

Here’s the headline: Cross-training is the secret to getting past your “walls”!

The Backstory

I was first introduced to the idea of cross-training as a college basketball player.

Out of all the teammates I had, I was always most impressed by those who had past careers in other sports, specifically soccer.

Their footwork, their vision, their spacial awareness, it was unmatched!

They had an edge I didn’t see in others.

We see this edge even in the NBA.

Think Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, etc., all soccer players.

Honestly it makes sense.

Soccer is a sport that demands you have these skills in order to be successful.

Basketball success didn’t demand them in the same way.

So if you train these skills on the soccer field, and then bring them to the basketball court, they instantly gave you a unique edge over others.

They gave you a customized way of approaching and interacting with the game.

It was fascinating to watch!

This idea has stuck with me since then, and now as I hit wall after wall, I’m approaching the idea again, but in an entirely different way.

Here’s the details!

Q: Why is cross training important as a high performing professional?

When you take the time to cross-train you access a personalized lens for approaching problems in a way completely unique to you. (Can you say edge!)

This “personalized lens” is created by leaning into aspects of your identity that are rooted to your core. (This is where confidence comes from)

When you engage with things “rooted to your core” (aka aligned with your values) you feel more confident and competent because the skills you’re leveraging don’t come from a forced model of learning, but rather from a place of genuine love.

The more time you spend in these activities and the more you reflect on those experiences, your voice begins to carry a tone of steadiness.

By taking the knowledge and wisdom you gain in one area of life, and applying it to another, you begin to see opportunities and openings you didn’t know existed.

It’s like looking through a different lens, one that provides a refreshed sense of clarity.

Q: How can I start implementing cross-training into my life?

The simple answer - spend time in a variety of personal passions.

Lean into things that connect with your heart. 

Your “mind” will probably steer you away from these things as they don’t provide the same quantifiable value our mind likes.

But these are the elements that allow you to fine tune the “art” within your craft.

You don’t have to go crazy with it.

You don’t have to dedicate your entire life to ceramics, or nature, or basketweaving, or golf.

But if you like these things, if they make you feel present, and whole, well then do them damn it.

It may feel like you’re coming off the gas, but friend that’s just the feeling of no longer grinding your own gears.

As you engage with these activities stay present and just enjoy.

Afterwards take a few minutes and ask yourself how what you learned can be applied to other areas of life, even if they seem to be completely unrelated.

That’s all folks

Honestly, it’s that simple

It’s more a way of life rather than a quick fix.

It’s a practice.

So get started.

Begin leaning into your true passions, and see how embracing more of “you” begins to brighten your entire experience.

Good luck!