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Nate Baker's Newsletter #97

"The coaching education newsletter for those dedicated to helping their people pursue their potential."

The Culture Rep

Essential Reading for All Developers

Coaching is Hard: 7 Reasons You Must Stay on Your Path

November 29, 2024 | Read on my website | Read time: 4 minutes

Development requires endurance above all else.

It’s an infinite game that doesn’t demand outcomes…

It only asks that you keep showing up.

But coaching is hard. It’s extremely multifaceted. You try every day to get an entire team, club, or organization to adopt a shared vision and move together with conviction in the same direction.

And when things get difficult, we forget why endurance should be valued above all.

We put false idols in its place:

• Winning
• Success of any type
• Outside opinion
• And many other things we do not control...

That’s when we get lost. This is where we lose perspective. This is where ego can overwhelm the humility required to develop our people...

This is where we forget to stay on our path.

During this holiday period, our seasons may be coming to a close or may have already ended. We often find ourselves in a place where it’s difficult to see the forest for the trees.

Said another way: It’s hard to see or take the next step on our path.

This is normal. In these moments, let’s refocus on our why. Let’s remember the reasons we got into coaching in the first place.

To continue our development as coaches, we must anchor ourselves to something bigger than ourselves.
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Here are 7 reasons you must stay on your path as a Developer.

1. There Are Always Small Wins

You are always winning, even when you lose.

However hard the current moment feels with your team, there are always small wins to identify and celebrate. They provide the energy and motivation to continue.

Take inventory of all the small wins you’ve had this season, and see how it changes your perspective.

2. There Is Always a Next Step

There are no dead ends, only new space.

There’s a difference between feeling overwhelmed by everything you could do and realizing there’s always a next step you can take. Development is an infinite game where you “win” by simply staying on your path.

Staying on your path helps your players stay on theirs.

3. We Impact Lives

By leading people, we change the course of their lives.

Pursuing potential requires connection. You may never fully know the impact you’ve had on a player, but take pride in the fact that you’ve influenced everyone you’ve coached.

We must always honor this gift.

4. Their Success Is Ours

We create the conditions for others to pursue their dreams.

When we help others succeed, it carries a deeper significance. These success stories are more than bullet points on a resume—they’re reminders of the impact we can have on people.

Sometimes, the small wins turn out to be big wins we can all share.

5. The Game Is More Than a Game

It’s a vessel for pursuing our potential.

The game can take us and our players to incredible places, especially if we focus on a process that fosters growth.

This game you coach has the power to change the course of your players’ lives.

6. It’s Also Just a Game

It’s also a joyful way to spend our time.

Soccer is the beautiful game—a safe space that triggers flow states, joy, and artistry for coaches and players alike.

There’s nothing better than helping players fall in love with the game.

7. The Opportunity to Be a Lighthouse

You can be the coach you never had.

Coaching provides a platform to be the change you want to see in the world—to be of service.

Never lose sight of the fact that you are a lighthouse showing others the way.

A Story to Finish

One of my favorite years in coaching was last season when it took us until the final match...

To win our first.

It was a season filled with hardship, close calls, and bad breaks. But we kept going. We kept pursuing the half-step of growth right in front of us.

A decent number of those players aged out going into this season.

And some weren’t even involved in the final match we won.

But if you asked each of them:

• Do you miss being part of the team?
• Did you benefit from being a member of the team?
• Do you feel better prepared for what comes next?
• Would you sign up for another year if you could?

In my opinion, the answer would be unequivocally yes.

So Remember...

Coaching is hard, but you are winning even if you can’t see it reflected in the league standings.

Keep these 7 reasons front of mind to endure and stay on your path...

Which will, in turn, inspire your people to stay on theirs.

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Injury Time

A Chance to Connect Before the Final Whistle

I wanted to share an exciting update about The Daily Developer. Originally, it launched as a daily paid email newsletter—a kind of daily devotional for your coaching journey. It has helped coaches keep development top of mind, take meaningful next steps, and stay aligned with their path.

However, I recognized early on that many participants wanted more than just a solo resource. They wanted a year-round coaching community. That’s why The Daily Developer now offers:

• Daily Access: Receive 262 lessons per year, each packed with actionable strategies, prompts, and tools—no waiting for the next course or seminar.
• Monthly Community Zooms: Work alongside like-minded coaches to tackle real challenges and celebrate small wins.
• Guest Speakers: Learn directly from top Developers who’ve achieved success and are ready to share their insights.

​Check out the new page on my website for a full breakdown of the program. It's designed for any motivated coach looking to elevate their development, regardless of coaching experience or background.

Please Note: This will be the last update about the program within this newsletter moving forward (aside from a mention at the very end).
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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​Have a great weekend, and good luck with your next step.

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To Development,

Nate Baker

Founder of The Developer’s Way​

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P.S. I will be in Palm Springs, CA for the MLS Next Winter Showcase with our groups (Dec 5-11th). Reply to this email if you want to connect.​
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P.P.S. Here are some recent Daily Developer testimonials from a few of our coaches.👇:

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