teamwork – Downtown Magazine

The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. From the loss of jobs, lack of opportunities to safely socialize, and more, people around the world felt the impact of the pandemic. As I finish up my junior year, I realize that I learned quite a bit from taking in-person classes at college during a pandemic.

1. Teamwork is extremely important

As expected, there were a few outbreaks on campus throughout the semester. However, COVID-19 cases almost always spiked as a result of students failing to follow safety guidelines. Even when a majority of students follow the safety guidelines, the failure of a few students to do so will still lead to outbreaks on campus. It was essential for students to work together to prevent others from getting sick. We were able to effectively work together as a school to stop the spread, finishing the school year with two successful semesters in-person.

2. Planning your days helps you get a lot done

Being on campus always helped me focus more, but when the pandemic was factored in, I sometimes found it difficult to focus on my studies. In addition, since many of my classes were still virtual, the amount of work I had to do out of class was overwhelming. I realized that if I made deadlines for myself, I got work done in a more efficient manner. Planning your day really makes a difference in productivity.

3. It’s okay to give yourself a break

It’s frustrating when you’ve been working for a long time and get nothing done. This was something that I experienced often while at school. Due to the pandemic, there were a lot fewer activities to participate in. In addition, interaction with friends in other housing areas was occasionally not allowed depending on the number of cases on campus. As someone who relies on social interaction with friends as a refreshing break, this was very difficult for me. I found new ways to effectively give myself breaks such as cooking or baking, watching TV, and going on walks around campus.

4. Be thankful for what you have

Before the pandemic, I found myself living in the future instead of enjoying the present. Being at college during the pandemic taught me to enjoy every fun moment I had like it was my last. When I was able to safely spend time with my friends, I cherished these opportunities. Even if my junior year was not what I had hoped for, I am thankful for the experience I had.

By Matt Tralli, a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND

Monday Motivation

I played many sports growing up in a small town in Westchester County, NY. Each season was a different sport: football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring. I loved playing sports for various reasons. It helped me stay active as a young kid, make new friends, thrive in a competitive environment, and most importantly it helped me develop essential core values through teamwork. The sport that I fell in love with the most was Football.

I was fortunate enough to play football at a very high level. Playing at the collegiate level for Marist College and then continuing at the Professional level for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in the National Arena Football League. I truly believe football is the best TEAM sport. When you join a football team it is like joining a family. The comradery amongst football teammates is second to none. Unlike many other sports, football is truly a team sport because you need EVERYONE to do their part in order for the team as a whole to be successful. Tom Brady (quarterback for the New England Patriots) would not be the great quarterback he is if it wasn’t for his offensive linemen who protect him when he drops back for a pass. He needs his wide receivers to catch the ball from him when he throws it their way. The running back needs to block and run the ball to help set up the next passing play. All of those things make the offense successful. I didn’t even mention the defense yet, without which championships cannot be won. A football team needs all 65 players to do their part to the best of their abilities to be a winning team. And, who doesn’t want to be part of a winning team?

The Business of Fitness — A winning team. Photo credit Jade Gomez

I believe this mantra is the same for any successful company. That value of “teamwork” was one of the first things I loved about DOGPOUND when I was hired two years ago. The DOGPOUND is a family. Just like a football team, everyone has to do their part in order for DOGPOUND to be the successful company that it is. Trainers have to work together to help achieve a client’s fitness goals. From the front desk to the trainers to the maintenance and upper management, everyone has to be on point to be successful. These core values and teamwork are what make The DOGPOUND unlike any other gym. We are a family and more importantly a community. Clients and staff feel this every time they step foot in the gym. This feeling of unity, working at DOGPOUND, is the same feeling I had at a young age playing sports, especially football. It makes you want to work for everyone on the team so everyone gets that winning feeling. Teamwork is one of the most important parts of any successful business. I believe it is essential for the youth to learn this tool so that when they are ready to start a company or join a company it is built like a football team. It all starts from the top down. Kirk Myers has built The DOGPOUND like a football team and we are an unstoppable force that will not only achieve your fitness goals but help change your life completely.