One of the most difficult things for any athlete to face is the reality of having to transition out of a sport lifestyle. Whether they be professional, collegiate, or high school, many athletes have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of their athletic goals and dreams. Sacrifices are made in ways most don’t recognize; foregoing vacations and jobs, waiting to start careers and families, or at times the loss of relationships and other opportunities in order to continue the pursuit. Yet, for all athletes the road will end, necessitating an ability to transition.
One harsh reality in life is the fact that change is likely the only reliable constant. Sometimes we have the benefit of being able to plan for such things, while in other situations the need is forced upon us. I’ve known some athletes who could feel the end of their career coming, and started to explore what life might have in store once they hung up their cleats. Still others have suffered sudden injuries, or other critical circumstances that forced their hand while having no control over the end of their career. And often times it is the issue of “control” that becomes the core of how they handle moving forward. Sometimes it is more important to realize you don’t have control over certain aspects of what happens, but you do have control over how you prepare and respond.
Our current situation highlights this fact on a broader scale than we have experienced in quite some time. I have always felt that sport is a reflection of life and culture, and circumstances over this past six months seem to prove this to be true. The pandemic has meant the end of a career for many college and prep seniors. Seasons have been cancelled or put in flux, leaving them with little chance of finishing their last opportunity to pursue their goals. Olympians who have been on a specific training cycle for years, who have held off on other life interests, have now had everything put into question, and some will now never realise their dream. Beyond sport, there are a significant number of us who have had a similar experience. Businesses have closed or cut back, sectors of our economy are no longer functioning, and the result is a forced need to make a transition. The pressing question is, how?
One of the most important things I encourage my clients to reflect on is to see the self as a whole person, rather than merely as an athlete. In fact, I would argue that many of the most successful athletes do this as a means of keeping perspective on what they are doing in sport. For example, having strong passion and commitment are admirable qualities. So too is the ability to be creative, work as a trustworthy teammate, and to be able to dedicate yourself to a purpose bigger than yourself. These are soft skills which promote achievement as athletes. But they are not exclusive to sport. These same qualities of character are beneficial in academics and the work world. Being able to explore how you might apply these traits to other interests may open up other avenues as you recognize your own capabilities.
Being able to make a transition also requires a process of going big-to-small. This is similar to what happens as athletes and coaches design competitive strategy. First, think of the goal, brainstorm possible paths to attaining it, then narrow down your focus to those that match up best with your strengths. Being ready for a new chapter means allowing yourself to contemplate other various pursuits, to be open to all sorts of possibilities linked to your interests, wants, and needs. Giving yourself the freedom to imagine yourself being involved in something that is meaningful to you, while also promoting challenge and growth.
At times some of us become afraid of change. We lack confidence, mostly as a result of our inexperience in a new environment, leading us to doubt our own abilities. But this is where it pays to remember how nascent you were in starting down the path as an athlete. Instead of being uncertain you would make it, you chose to dedicate yourself to working toward the goal of being that high level athlete. Along the way you experienced set backs, small failures, and as a result, tremendous growth. Trusting that experience can reinvigorate you. Especially if you can tap into core values that kept the fire lit while competing on the court.
Values are the foundation for decisions and actions we make. They are the bedrock of the positive characteristics I’ve described above. Being a strong leader, a compassionate teammate, and a disciplined worker are linked to value systems. Knowing this about yourself provides confidence to take risks on your own behalf that will help you to achieve success in something new, and to help you realize your true potential and value.
Whether we are ready or not, being able to transition in life is a critical aspect of mental toughness. Having self-awareness of our capabilities to handle change becomes an asset necessary for the inevitable. And while we don’t always welcome change, being able to have an optimistic perspective enables us to accept reality, appreciate and let go of the past, and to move toward other opportunities. You were able to pursue goals before, you can do this again. Should you find yourself needing more help in this area, why wait? Make the call, bring in an expert.