Whatever certification we’re considering or preparing for, it is important to know why we want it, what it will do for our current or future positions and responsibilities. Not only that, but it is important to look at what it's going to take to keep them.

We all know character matters. But how do coaches affect the character of their athletes? How do we make a positive impact on who our athletes are now and who they will become in the future?

More from Daniel Heller: I first learned about SOAP notes when I was helping my mom and her team create a curriculum for lifestyle coaching back in the early 2000s. One of the naturopaths on our team introduced SOAP notes as a way of organizing intake for patients. Later on in my internships and jobs in clinical settings, I discovered this was the norm for how physicians organized data for insurance, diagnosis, and overall patient care. The “SOAP” acronym stands for Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan. I’m going to share how I use this system with clients (athletes, coaches, parents, businesses, etc.) to get a clear picture of where they are and how I can help get them to where they want to be.

So many of us became strength and conditioning coaches because our hearts were broken because of sports. Whether it was due to an injury or our careers running out, we became lost, with nowhere to go next, trying to put together the pieces of what was left of our existences. Somehow we were introduced to the weight room, then we were led down a path of formal education, acquiring a degree that gave us the necessary background to understand the mechanisms that go into becoming an athlete.

Athletic Foundations Inc is excited to offer the inaugural AFI Elite Camp this summer for Blockout Academy Varsity Elite athletes. Members of this group are a part of the exciting launch of AFI’s mission and vision. They are laying the foundation for girls who want to excel as athletes and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. We are so thankful for everyone participating in this first AFI Elite Camp.

We are happy to feature this guest post contributed by Coach Daniel Heller, a new regular contributor here at coachdjtaylor.com. We’re excited to introduce you to him and share his knowledge and skills with our readers! Please read more about Coach Daniel below. You can also connect with him on Instagram at @coach_danielh.

I’ve benefitted in many ways from creative thinking. Being curious and open to innovation has helped me develop new ways to coach athletes, run a business, and form a non-profit. This post includes some habits that have nurtured my creativity. I hope they do the same for you!

As a coach, a business owner, and a founder of a new nonprofit, I’ve experienced all kinds of setbacks and obstacles that required me to have a whole lot of grit. Life isn’t perfect. Things will never go 100% smoothly. So when we face difficulty while trying to reach our coaching, athletic, and other work goals, we need to remind ourselves that this is another opportunity to grow and persevere.