When I would drop off my children to school, I always had a phrase I would say to them. I would say, “Go be awesome and amazing! I love my family!” And now, with them a little older, I shout it throughout the house as I am leaving. It’s a phrase that feels good and is motivating. Two little phrases that are consistent, empowering, and special to our family. A girl’s inner beauty radiates through how she loves herself and how she treats others. If that is how it is shown, then we as coaches need to fuel that part of every girl. In this episode, you will learn how to IGNITE your girls' self confidence and help them feel unique and special. Her Star can shine like the sun in every practice! Here are TWO simple ways to IGNITE their inner beauty.
First, let us start with ourselves. Shining your own inner beauty is contagious. We have all been around a person that radiates greatness when they are around. These people are not just extroverts or outgoing. These people love themselves and it spills out of them. It spills out and wraps itself around people. John O’Donohue said, “Beauty is the illumination of your soul.” As coaches, we are models and examples of how to make our Stars shine. One of the ways to model this is by showing up with your whole self. Have conversations with your team about your struggles and successes. Use the lesson you are teaching and share a relatable adult moment where you did use the strategy or could have used the strategy. Humanizing yourself creates an open environment for the girls to share and be themselves.
Second, take notice of each girl’s natural talent and positive attributes. Make the natural leader on the team be the one who leads the exercises. The one who is always offering to help with the supplies or with your coach bag can be given the title as Assistant or Organizing Consultant. The girl who always notices other people’s trials and successes can be the Team Cheerleader. When you assign these titles, make a big deal about them. Let the team know how important it is to have each of them on the team giving their best self. Be careful to not burn them out on their natural beauty and talent. Every great leader also needs to be a follower sometimes. Give notices to each girl’s many positive attributes. You will see a girl blossom and shine when she is noticed and FEELS noticed.
Lastly, pull it all together. Shining your beautiful self and radiating positive energy, even on your hard days, sets the foundation for creating a safe space for the girls to shine. Noticing and creating jobs or roles for the girls will create a space for each girl to shine. You are giving them the space to highlight themselves in front of their team and be an important part of something that is great. Influence the girls with your own stories of successes, challenges, jobs, roles, and inner beauty. You will see how easy it is to IGNITE a girl’s self-confidence and inner beauty when you take notice and acknowledge their greatness and your own greatness. True inner beauty is contagious when you allow it to shine! Go Team Beautiful!
Shayla A is the Coach Mentor for Girls on the Run Kansas City. Her background comes from the classroom, coaching, day treatment schools, wellness, and advocating for children with special needs. She enjoys empowering and advocating for girls and coaches in every challenge and celebration. Connect with her for support and assistance this season via Leigh Krtec.
BOOK LIST TO ENHANCE YOUR GIRLS’ SELF-CONFIDENCE:
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
The LIght Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra
You Are a Beautiful Beginning by Nina Laden
Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty
TO WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO IGNITE YOUR GIRLS’ INNER BEAUTY: