Congrats Grads!

Yesterday was high school graduation day in Mason City. Like usual, I was invited to some grad parties-not as many as previous years because of retirement-but still honored to be asked to attend some. I stopped by a graduation party for one of my former players and among the balloons, photos, and food was a table with a simple sign: "Leave a note of advice for the graduate.

"It struck me as a cool idea and something that graduation speakers usually touch on. In a moment where a young person is stepping into a brand new world—college, work, adulthood—what do we want them to carry with them?I picked up a pen and wrote what I have been signing my new book with:"Onward and upward."

It’s simple, but it says what I believe: keep moving forward, keep growing, and keep aiming a little higher, even when it’s hard.So in that spirit, it made me think about what other advice I would offer graduates if I were speaking to them at graduation. Here are some things that I try to live by daily that would be good reminders for all grads:

*Be where your feet are.Don’t rush to the next thing so fast that you miss the moment you’re in.

*You’re allowed to change your mind.About your major, your path, and even your dreams. At one of the parties, I asked a new grad (former volleyball player) what her future plans were. She said she was going to NIACC and get her general studies done before deciding. That is awesome and ok! I mentioned to her coaching someday... anything is a possibility right now!

*Treat others how you would like to be treated-the Golden Rule.Kindness, effort, and integrity matter more than titles or trophies.

*Losses should always equal learning. You’re going to mess up. Learn from it. Then take the next step and find a way to learn from it.

*Leave every place better than you found it.We all change jobs and locations a number of times in our career. Your legacy will be what people say about you when you leave. They will definitely say something-it's up to us to determine what those words are!

*And finally: relationships are what matter. I had a great coaching friend tell me this weekend: "Basketball is awesome, coaching is awesome, but the people you do it with make all the difference." This applies to all parts of life. Surround yourself with great people and treat them right.

What advice would you have for new high school and college grads? Maybe this week, we could all take a moment to write our own “note” to someone starting out. Because wisdom isn’t just passed down—it’s passed onward-and onward and upward? That still sounds like the right message to me! Have a great week!

Coach K