How our experiences in competition can serve us well in managing difficult situations in life after. In the competitive world, we experience the positive and negative sides of stress in the form of pressure situations in a contest. On the up side, pressure elevates our performance. We step up when the outcome of a situation […]
Laughing Through the Aches
Why a sense of humor is a key to life after sports. Several years ago, when I was working as the principal of an elementary school, we held a ‘sports day’ as a part of winter carnival week. Staff and students dressed up in clothing that represented their favorite team or sport. Wanting to get […]
Successful Versus Fulfilled
How some achievement can feel disappointing for former athletes. Ever had a moment when you arrived at some kind of achievement, and found yourself feeling less than excited about it? Maybe your sales group hit a goal or the team you coach won a big game. Maybe you won an award for a club that […]
Competitive Athletes in the Lead.
Five ways that competitive sports prepare athletes for leadership in life after sports, and three ways that they don’t. Competitive people tend to look for ways in which to advance, in most of the different areas of their lives. Professional advancement, and in particular leadership opportunities, are no exception. It is one of the most […]
Leadership and Life After Competitive Sports
Does our competitive nature drive us to advance in our careers? Drive and determination are not unique to the competitive athlete. They are necessary to exist in our world. That said, they are not as readily present in the world outside of sport, though they are quite an asset when navigating most corporate or public […]
The Unique Challenges of COVID-19 as an Ending to Competitive Careers
The recent pandemic has brought about an abrupt ending to a considerable number of athletic careers. Given our previous look at “The Manner of Endings” – how might those athletes who have seen their competitive careers end on this unusual note make this transition in as healthy a manner as possible? By staying connected to […]