Robert C. White - October 2024

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OCTOBER 2024 COACHING FROM THE SIDELINES 860.613.6290 WWW.ROBERTCWHITE.COM

Hurting When Trying to Help

often, it isn’t necessarily the right coaching input (e.g., “boot it up” or “just dribble”) or the kindest coaching input (e.g., “run faster” or “stop giving it away”). The culture of youth sports (at least in my area) is coaching from the sidelines. It is so common and, in certain situations, problematic that there are weekends designated “silent sidelines,” where only clapping is allowed. The point is, how are the young players supposed to develop with the noise, distraction, contradicting instructions, and, unfortunately, sometimes jeers happening all the time during the game? It is a good question and a good point. I read a funny anecdote about a father who was making a breakfast of fried eggs for his son. Suddenly the boy bursts into the kitchen. “Careful! Careful! Put in some more butter! Oh, my goodness! You’re cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my! They’re going to STICK! Careful! … CAREFUL! I said CAREFUL! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Don’t forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!”

Soccer is in full swing in the Eddinger household. Evelyn, a freshman, has joined the high school team. And James (5th grade) and William (3rd grade) are both playing travel soccer. Third grade is the first year for travel soccer in our area, so William is a “first-timer” to more competitive soccer and a more professional coaching environment. Before the first game, the coach called an “all parents” meeting to set expectations and ground rules. An example of expectations: “I focus on development first. No one is going to remember or care that your child won the league when he was 8 years old.” I certainly agree with that and am often amazed how seriously the parents (not the kids) take these games (and the records). A couple of examples of ground rules: “Be at games 30 minutes before the game starts,” and his most important one: “No coaching from the sidelines.” Frankly, when the coach announced the “no coaching from the sidelines” rule, I looked around at the other parents to see their reaction. Some appeared very uneasy. In my experience, youth sports and “coaching from the sidelines” by parents go hand in hand. My fifth grader’s team has about a dozen “sideline coaches” who offer a continuous stream of directions to their child and other players on the team. And

Two of my Soccer Stars

a couple of eggs?” The son calmly replied, “I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I’m trying to play soccer.” Now I confess, I sometimes sideline coach. I don’t try to, but occasionally the urge overwhelms me. I played soccer at a pretty high level when I was younger, and I see things the players should do that would bring them more success. In my mind, the direction is helpful, but when I step back and look at it in total, it is not. The young players need the space to think, make decisions (including mistakes), hear feedback from their coach, and play hard. Sideline coaching doesn’t help in that.

How does this relate to property management, business, or land lording?

The father stared at him. “What’s wrong with you? You think I don’t know how to fry

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TURN CLUTTER INTO CASH Essential Tips for Hosting a Successful Yard Sale

Have you noticed a lot of clutter in your home? Do you want to do something with it before the holidays arrive and family visits? There’s no better option than hosting a garage or yard sale. Selling your unneeded items is a much better solution than throwing them away, and October is one of the best months to set up a yard sale — weather permitting, of course. If you’ve never hosted a yard sale before, or your previous attempts didn’t bring in the profit you hoped for, don’t worry! You can implement a few effective strategies to ensure your yard sale is a success. Here are a few you can try before your next yard sale.

“Game of Thrones” may have coined the phrase, “Winter is coming,” but it’s the reality we all face this time of year. The temperature is dropping, and winter’s cold, snow, and freezing conditions will soon envelop us. There’s always much to do to prepare for cold weather, and you may not realize your air conditioning unit needs some attention. Taking a few extra steps to protect your air conditioning unit will ensure it’s ready when you need it again when the heat returns. Winterizing your AC unit protects it from snow, ice, and rust. It also prevents unwanted critters from invading your unit and making it their home for the winter. The process can seem daunting if you’ve never touched your AC unit before, but it only takes a few minutes and is easier than you think. If your unit is under a tree or in an area where icicles or snow could fall into it, invest in a cover. You don’t need a cover over the entire unit, just one that will keep things from falling into the top. Even a piece of plywood can work as a suitable cover. If you have a heat pump, however, you shouldn’t worry about covering the unit. Before winter arrives, clean your unit to the best of your ability. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris on top or inside the unit. You can even use a garden hose to rinse the outside. Once you’ve cleaned it out and are sure the warm weather is over, cut the power supply to your unit. This will ensure your unit doesn’t turn on during an unusually warm winter day. Once the cold weather arrives, don’t ignore your AC unit until spring returns. Continue to check on it to ensure the cover is doing its job and remove critters nesting below or near it. Replacing and repairing an AC unit can become expensive quickly. Be proactive and winterize your unit to reduce risk and lengthen its lifespan. Easy Steps to Prep for Cold Weather Don’t Let Winter Freeze Your AC

Prepare beforehand. A common trap many fall into is trying to have a spontaneous garage sale. Without gathering your items, determining the prices you’re willing to accept for them, and putting up signs, you will struggle to sell anything. Get everything organized and prepped in the days leading up to the sale. If you plan to take Venmo or other cash apps for payment, consider printing out the QR code for shoppers to scan. This will help speed up the checkout process. Promote your yard sale. People will not stop at your yard sale if you don’t do anything to draw attention to it. Post on your local community page on social media, informing others about your garage sale. Put up signs at the entrance to your neighborhood and around the community. You can even create a larger sign to place in your yard to draw attention from passersby. Get help. You cannot run a successful yard sale by yourself. You need someone in charge of the cash box to take payments and make change and at least one other person to roam and talk to customers about the items, answer questions, and oversee the entire operation. Use family members, friends, or anyone else trustworthy and willing to help. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially if your dream is to have a profitable yard sale!

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FROM RESCUE TO RESCUER Poncho’s Inspiring Story

Remarkably, the family ended up at the doorstep of Española Humane, the same rescue organization where they had adopted Poncho. The dedicated staff immediately sprang

In a heartwarming story of canine courage, a rescue dog named Poncho has emerged as a hero after putting his life on the line to defend his family during a home invasion. The events unfolded on a fateful night in early June when an intruder broke into Poncho’s home in northern New Mexico.

into action, performing extensive surgery to clean and repair Poncho’s traumatic neck wound. The brave pup stopped breathing at one point, but the veterinary team successfully revived him.

Poncho, an 8-year-old rescue pup, sprang into action the moment the intruder entered the home. Without hesitation, the brave dog leaped at the would-be criminal, determined to protect his family at all costs. In the ensuing struggle, Poncho suffered a deep neck wound that miraculously missed his vital organs. But the attack didn’t stop there — the intruder then proceeded to kick Poncho repeatedly.

Despite his severe injuries, Poncho has steadily regained his strength. His tail never stops wagging, and he responds enthusiastically whenever he hears the words “good boy.” Poncho’s dad promised him a lifetime of rib-eye steaks to reward his heroic actions.

Poncho’s story is a powerful reminder of the unwavering loyalty and bravery rescue animals can possess. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider visiting your local animal shelter or rescue organization. You never know — you might just find your very own guardian angel, just like Poncho’s family did.

Undeterred by his injuries, Poncho managed to hold the intruder at bay until others could intervene and restrain the criminal. Poncho’s family then embarked on a desperate two-hour journey to Albuquerque, searching for emergency veterinary care.

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I’m not exactly sure. I know I have been thinking about this often lately and have been reflecting on my own sideline coaching during the workday with the team at RCW. Am I giving clear coaching direction and feedback? Am I letting them make decisions (including mistakes) so they can grow? Am I giving them the space they need to think and build their judgment? I hope so, but I am sure there is more I can do. And though it goes against my natural instinct, I can do more by saying less.

ULTIMATE BAKED ZITI

Ingredients

• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

To lessons learned on the sidelines,

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

P.S. This past weekend was my third-grade son’s first game, and I did not coach from the sideline at all. It was uncomfortable at times but also nice to just watch the kids play and cheer them on.

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INSIDE

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Coaching From the Sidelines

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Winterize Your AC Like a Pro

Boost Your Yard Sale Profits

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Loyal Pup Risks Life to Protect Loved Ones

Ultimate Baked Ziti

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Cozy Up With Grandmacore

CLASSIC COMFORT

How to Design Your Home With Grandmacore Aesthetic

grandparent to get into the grandmacore scene, either. It just requires a few simple design elements. Imagine your grandma’s house for a moment. What do you see? Maybe a selection of unique antiques , a classic rocking chair , cat-themed decorations, or other items that evoke nostalgia. Antique furniture, vintage linens , classic books , handmade decor , and houseplants are great ways to bring grandmacore into your home. To maintain this feel throughout your home, stay away from modern and minimalist decor, mass-produced art, and bright neon colors. Bringing the grandmacore style into your home is a surefire way to improve your mood and reminisce about fond memories from your grandma’s house!

Do you remember how cozy and calming walking into your grandmother’s home felt? If so, you’re not alone. In recent years, “grandmacore” has taken over the interior design world, prompting many to embrace the charm of their grandmother’s aesthetic. You don’t have to be a

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