Introduction
“Within a matter of minutes I was learning so much.”
“Going to do a 2nd and 3rd run for note-taking purposes.”
Two comments. One truth: how you consume coaching content matters as much as what you consume.
The Content Consumption Problem
Information Overload
Coaches today have access to:
- Thousands of YouTube videos
- Hundreds of courses
- Countless podcasts
- Infinite articles
More available than ever. But more learning?
Passive Consumption
Watching without thinking. Listening without applying. Reading without implementing.
Entertainment disguised as education.
Surface Learning
Skimming everything. Mastering nothing.
Breadth without depth creates illusion of knowledge.
Active Content Consumption
First Watch: Understanding
Initial exposure:
- Get the big picture
- Identify key concepts
- Note what resonates
- Recognise what challenges
Don’t try to capture everything. Absorb.
Second Watch: Note-Taking
“Going to do a 2nd and 3rd run for note-taking purposes.”
Deeper engagement:
- Write key points
- Capture specific ideas
- Record questions
- Plan applications
Notes transform passive to active.
Third Watch: Integration
Final consolidation:
- Connect to existing knowledge
- Fill gaps from notes
- Solidify understanding
- Prepare for implementation
Repetition creates retention.
The Speed of Learning
Quick Insights
“Within a matter of minutes I was learning so much.”
Good content teaches fast:
- Clear concepts
- Practical examples
- Relevant application
- Efficient delivery
Why Speed Matters
Grassroots coaches have limited time:
- Full-time jobs
- Family responsibilities
- Coaching commitments
- Other life demands
Content that respects time gets consumed.
Density Over Duration
90 minutes of rambling vs 15 minutes of focus.
Shorter, denser content often teaches more.
Making Content Stick
Immediate Application
Within 24 hours of consuming content:
- Identify one thing to try
- Plan when to try it
- Execute the plan
- Reflect on results
Application creates memory.
Teaching Others
Explain what you learned:
- To your assistant coach
- To your coaching group
- In community discussions
- In your own notes
Teaching forces understanding.
Connecting to Practice
Every piece of content should answer:
- “How does this change my next session?”
- “What will I do differently because of this?”
- “Where does this fit in my coaching?”
Unconnected content disappears.
Regular Review
Content consumed once fades.
Schedule review:
- Weekly review of notes
- Monthly return to key content
- Seasonal reassessment of learning
Repetition consolidates.
Selecting Content Wisely
Quality Over Quantity
Five great resources, deeply consumed, beat fifty mediocre ones skimmed.
Choose carefully. Engage fully.
Relevance Priority
Content that addresses your current challenges:
- Immediate application possible
- Motivation higher
- Retention stronger
- Impact faster
Trusted Sources
Not all content is equal:
- Who created it?
- What’s their experience?
- Who vouches for them?
- What results have others seen?
Curate your sources.
Complete Consumption
Better to finish three courses than start ten.
See things through. Incomplete learning limits application.
Building a Learning System
Content Calendar
Plan what you’ll learn:
- This week’s focus
- This month’s priority
- This season’s theme
Intentional learning beats random consumption.
Notes Repository
Somewhere all learning lives:
- Easy to access
- Easy to search
- Easy to review
Notes you can’t find might as well not exist.
Application Tracker
Record what you’ve tried:
- What content inspired it
- What you implemented
- What results occurred
- What you’ll do next
Close the loop from learning to doing.
Review Rhythm
Regular check-ins with your learning:
- Weekly: What did I learn?
- Monthly: What have I applied?
- Seasonally: What has changed?
Rhythm creates habits.
Conclusion
Content is everywhere. Learning is rare.
“Within a matter of minutes I was learning so much.” “Going to do a 2nd and 3rd run for note-taking purposes.”
These responses show active engagement:
- Quick recognition of value
- Plan for deeper engagement
- Intention to fully absorb
Consume less. Engage more. Apply immediately. Review regularly.
That’s how learning sticks.