Why do you Coach? This is a critical question for coaches to ask. There will be many ups and downs in your career, so knowing your “why” is important. Here are 7 Reasons WHY Coaches Coach. 1: The Joy of Being on a TEAM The fact of the matter is that most coaches love coaching because they get to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Being a part of a team or a community is special. This is also why many athletes often reminisce about the glory days as they age. 2: Competition The joy of competition is what drives many coaches as well. There’s something special about making a commitment and putting in the time to compete. It is even more special when you do that with other people trying to achieve the goal together. Competition is a good thing. It makes us better. 3: Teach Life Skills So many life skills are learned when you are a part of a team sport. Coaches often coach because of the great life lessons sports have taught us. We want to have an impact and teach those same lessons to the next generation. 4: Love the Sport Many Coaches Coach because they absolutely love the sport. It was a special part of their upbringing, and they love the feeling they get to teach something they love. 5: Want the Challenge and Adversity. Coaching brings many unique challenges. One thing that is for certain as there will be adversity, and there will be ups and downs. This is the beauty of sport. The raw emotions one feels with a thrilling victory or the agony of defeat are hard to match anywhere else in life. This drives many people to Coach. 6: Coaches are Teachers Coaches are teachers. Many coaches love to coach because they get to teach a game for which their students or athletes have a passion as well. There’s something very special about teaching to a group of people who also love the sport and want to learn. 7: Relationships Coach is first and foremost about relationships. Relationships with your athletes, assistants, coaches, and coaching colleagues are hard to beat. These relationships last a lifetime, and this is a big driver for many coaches. For me, all of these above are reasons that I coach. I cannot just pick one thing. But whenever times get tough, it is important to go back and think about “why” we coach. ----- Follow me @gregberge for more actionable ideas on coaching, leadership, and personal growth. Join 11,000+ others and subscribe to my FREE newsletter, 🏆 Great Teams Better Leaders 123. The link is in my profile above.