Can you recognize who is in alignment with your goals and dreams?

Alignment is a strategic word that must always be given attention to and understood if you want to make progress in life. The following is a definition that best applies it's significance. A position of agreement or alliance; a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups nations, etc. with a common cause or viewpoint.

The key is we must be open to recognize when alignment is about to occur in our lives, otherwise there may be a missed opportunity for growth and eventual success. 

In 2003 I initiated the process of establishing a tennis team at the private school where I was a teacher and head basketball coach. I became very motivated to take on this project when my son Gaston started to show promise in the sport. One major thing I had to do is find other student athletes who wanted to play on a team and benefit from additional matches beyond the USTA tournament schedule. There was one particular student athlete I had to convince to play who could carry the girls team in singles and doubles. That  was Suzanna Mansour. Suzi as we called her, was in my class and I knew she was a highly ranked player with a demanding schedule. I asked her to play a few matches so we could become eligible the following year, she agreed.

The next season came around and we got approval for district play. Suzi was ready to compete. Later she revealed to me that winning the state title was now on her list of goals. After breezing through the regular season, Suzi won the district title as our number one player qualifying her for states in Tallahassee.  At states Suzi's play was solid in the first couple of rounds, advancing to the state individual final. She now had to play someone she had lost to twice before. This meant that I had to dig deep for a strategy.  But I was her high school coach, not her private coach. This was a paradigm shift for both of us. Suzi had tremendous knowledge about the game and was being recruited heavily by major D-1 schools that knew that as well. I had to find a way to communicate my thoughts about the match while respecting her impressive resume. Being the basketball coach at a state tennis tournament allowed me to embrace the challenge. I understood the game of tennis and trusted my ability to motivate and offer her practical advice in this situation. I had a plan.

 Shortly before the big match, Suzi was  having a conversation on the phone with her father as he shared his thoughts about what she should do. I could tell Suzi wanted to focus on the match without hearing too much additional  information. Before ending her conversation she said, " Dad, coach Murray has the plan." At that moment I knew we were in alignment and something great was about to happen. It was Suzi that declared our common cause. She went out and executed what we agreed upon, and won in straight sets capturing the Florida Individual State Title!