Dreams of Playing Professionally?

Recently, I was sitting at a café with a professional soccer player and that was the question I asked him. His response was quick, confident, and assured! He said since he was 5 years old. 

Maybe you have a similar memory and answer to that question. Or maybe, it wasn’t until later in your youth career that you began to dream about competing at the pro level. Or possibly sometime in between.

Regardless, the desire to play and compete at the professional level and then accomplish that dream is amazing!

You have climbed to the mountain top and are enjoying the view! But the harsh reality is that at some point, you will need to leave the mountain top, whether you want to or not. That’s the truth about professional sport, it will end at some point!

In chapter 7 of SHIFT: The Athlete’s Playbook 5 Proven Steps to Life After Sport, we begin to explore the idea that life isn’t only about climbing one mountain. But, rather life consists of many mountain tops that we get to climb over the duration of our lives. Nelson Mandela once said that “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” Love this perspective!

Here are 4 tips to changing your perspective on your future mountain tops.

1. Dream – Simply taking time to think about life beyond your sport. Write out 3 or 4 sentences describing an ideal situation that you could envision investing your time, experience, and skills. 
    
2. Discuss (Invite or Share) – You don’t need to tell everyone, but you do need to share with someone. Remember you are not alone on this journey. Inviting others into your process by sharing with them will help with perspective, gain clarity, and a safe place to ask questions.
    
3. Modify (Revise or Adapt) – Imaging the Future isn’t a fixed decision, it can morph, change, adapt to new information, experiences, networks, and resources. It is okay to make adjustments along the journey, similar to how you have adjusted in games or throughout the course of a season. Know you have the freedom to modify as you Imagine the Future.
    
4. Assess (Evaluate) – Life can get chaotic and busy, it’s important to intentionally hit “pause” to take a look around and reflect. Do you desire to continue in this direction, do you need to reroute yourself, or increase or decrease your pace? Assessing your current imagination and thoughts of your future will give you the opportunity to change your trajectory and perspective on your next mountain top. 

These tips will help guide you to think bigger and broader than you may have ever thought before. The beauty of Imagining the Future is the dreaming aspect of the process. Dream big and make the most of your imagination!

Your transitions are opportunities, seize them today!
Jonathan