Author: Mike Urgo
“Hi, I am Coach Urgo!”
Words I proudly stated for almost 15 years. Whether it was on a lacrosse field or in an ice rink, whether I was working in a restaurant, in a call center, accounting, or technology; I was Coach Urgo.
It is something I have been wrestling with over the past year. Sometimes I would think: Have I lost my identity?
Then in the spring I was talking to someone about the hockey season and some of the games I had seen online or in person. They turned and innocently asked: Well, now that you’re not coaching, are you going to change your online handle from @CoachUrgo?
I was shocked. The thought had never crossed my mind.
Should I?
That pause felt like an eternity. Then, immediately it was over. The questions about my identity, gone. The doubt of direction, gone. There was no way in hell I was going to change that handle. Being a coach is core to who I am. And it didn’t matter if I was no longer physically smiling behind the bench in an ice rink or confidently pacing the sidelines on the lacrosse field. Coaching to me is part of the reason why I was put here.
Every time I think these blogs are pointless because they don’t get likes, or people gushing in the comments, I run into someone. Someone I know, or sometimes someone I don’t know, and they thank me for something I have written. Or they share how they really enjoyed one of my videos.
I have taken the past couple weeks to think. Being in the woods with my family for a few days last week really gave me time to reflect. It seems to me that it can be easy for people to get caught up in who you are. That becomes your caste or creed.
For me, I was a coach.
For others, maybe they are a lawyer, executive, doctor, teacher, or salesperson.
What I have realized is that way of thinking puts us in a box as a person. I am so much more than @CoachUrgo. I am a father, a son, a brother, and a husband. I am a great leader in many areas in my life. I am creative. I like to write, draw, and edit photos. I am a photographer. I like people and social observations. I like to be in tune to my inner child and build Legos and watch cartoons. I love the outdoors and everything that goes with it. I can golf, ski, and snorkel; if it’s fun and outside, I want to do it. I love a good adventure but am also at peace in my home watching any athletic event or a great movie.
The list goes on, but what’s the point?
The point is we are all more than what we do professionally. And frankly, the more we can be in tune with EVERYTHING that makes up who we are, the more effective we will be in all facets of our lives. My kids don’t need @CoachUrgo. They need Mike Urgo, who’s their multifaceted, usually over the top dad. My co-workers don’t just want IT Executive: Mike Urgo, that guy is boring and borderline egotistical.
They want the full and authentic Mike Urgo. That’s when I am at my best, when I am myself. People seek out things and people that are genuine. That is why reality TV is so successful until it isn’t. If it feels too overproduced, it loses its draw. We’ve all had those bosses or coworkers that just feel like everything is an act. It’s the opposite of genuine and it’s not effective.
So instead of thinking about your industry, profession, or title, think about all that makes you, you. Certainly, your professional life is part of it, but it’s only a part. Now. If you are reading this and you’re thinking, buddy - I eat sleep and breathe my job and I love it!
Good for you.
But when I was recruiting college hockey players, I would always ask them what hobbies they had, what they liked to do besides hockey. Not surprisingly, many answered that hockey was their true passion, they only thing they did. And I get it, that’s what they thought a college coach would want to hear. But then I reframed the question. I would explain that playing hockey year-round is stressful. Even when it’s something you love. You have injuries, bad games, personality conflicts, growing pains, etc. You need something to do to relax, to de-stress, to reset for the next day. Even if the next day you are blessed to do something you truly love.
So, if you’re in the camp of people who are reading this thinking that they are ok letting their title define them, I would challenge you to dig deeper. Because I would venture to guess there’s more to you inside, that’s dying to get out and flourish. I can’t imagine what my life would be like had I not invested in a camera back in 2019 (go check out @IntellectNebula). Hell. If it weren’t for that camera, who knows if I would be writing to you now. Or if I would still be coaching.
The truth is I will never stop coaching. Whether it’s through these blogs, in athletics, at home with my kids, or being blessed to have the opportunity to professionally mentor others.
I will never stop coaching.
I will never lose my love for the outdoors, sports, photography, or silly cartoons.
I have been thinking a lot lately. I think that time for reflection is important. It is important to stay grounded and not lose track of all the things that make you, you.
So, take the time to think about who you are and commit to being that genuine person every day.
This is where a coach can be very beneficial to your growth as a leader and in your career.
Are you looking for a professional coach to help you grow or take the next step in your career?
Send me a message to hear about how I can help!
Thank you for reading, if you are enjoying these newsletters, please make sure to like, comment and share on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube as it will help with engagement.
The ability to take the time to understand you, your people, your processes, and your needs and develop a plan for success is what makes Intellectual Nebula so effective!
