How Hockey Taught Me to Value Progress in Proposal Work

Ideas at Dawn
Jun 16
2 min read

A Weekend at the Rink—and a Moment of Insight

Last weekend, I found myself in the familiar chilly rink, coffee in hand, but something stood out. My youngest son, Henry, had practice, and his older brother, Devin, decided to join him on the ice. Despite being new to skating, Devin stumbled but kept going, encouraging Henry and smiling through it all. This experience reminded me that proposal work isn’t about perfection but progress.

Proposals Aren’t Won by Perfection—They’re Won by Progress

In the AEC world, we often stress over perfect proposals—wording, layout, compliance—so much that we forget:

You don’t need to be perfect to make progress.

Every draft, conversation, and revision moves the proposal forward. Progress is where growth happens.

Each Draft Is a Practice Round

The first draft is unsteady—like Devin’s first lap. By the later drafts, we refine our message and find our rhythm. Proposals strengthen through:

Honest feedback
Focused reviews
Rewriting

Feedback Is Your Coach—Use It

Just as hockey players rely on coaches, proposal teams benefit from feedback. Reviews should highlight unclear areas, sharpen messages, and prompt us to rethink aspects that aren't working. See them as practice sessions.

Every Role on the Proposal Team Matters—Just Like Every Player

In proposals, every role is crucial:

Marketer aligns strategy
Technical expert provides credibility
Graphic designer visualizes the story
Editor polishes the final product
Coordinator ensures everything fits

Teamwork is essential for a winning proposal.

Growth Comes from Showing Up—Even When It’s Hard

Devin skated without waiting until he felt “ready.” In proposals, showing up means tackling the first draft, initiating discussions, and embracing challenges. Waiting for perfect conditions can mean missing opportunities.