Look Before You Leap

Tips on Making the Leap to Pro Sports

[sportystateofmind]

Someone is Always Watching...!

As a college athlete trying to further your collegiate career and prepping for a potential professional career, don’t forget that folks are always watching. In this era of digital connectedness and social media abundance, there is no shortage of cameras ready to capture the world’s next viral moment. Don’t let yourself be that next viral moment.

Think about your college career, think about your future, think about your brand. Whatever you’re about to get caught doing is just not worth it.

[sportystateofmind]

Enjoy Your Time As An Athlete, But Also Remember Your Humanity

As a college athlete, you’ll likely be placed on a pedestal simply because you are an athlete. The sport you play and the level to which you excel at it will affect how high that pedestal is elevated. Enjoy the platitudes and the lagniappe – “lagniappe” is Creole for “a little something extra” – that come with being placed on a pedestal. But also remember your humanity.

Remember that you are human, first, and athlete, student, sibling, child, etc. after that. Do not forget the journey that brought you to this point in life. Keep in mind all those who supported you on your journey. In that vein, continue to DO GOOD TO OTHERS and SHOW LOVE TO ALL.

The recent events in Charleston are a reminder that tragedy can hit close to home when you are least expecting it. A young man who is a college baseball player for Allen University lost his mother in the Charleston shooting. He is a perfect example of someone who is need of love and compassion from his fellow athletes and fellow human beings. Be the leader who shows compassion to your fellow man and inspires others to do the same.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” ~Dalai Lama

[sportystateofmind]

You are Your Brand

As a college athlete aiming to have a career in professional sports, one fact that you can never take lightly is the fact that you are your brand. You must do all you can to protect your brand. Teams, agencies, sports networks all prefer not to deal with the headache of an athlete who is constantly in trouble or associated with trouble. Protect your brand by doing these few things: 1. WATCH THE COMPANY YOU KEEP. My mother used to say "Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are." Those words are still true today. 2. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK OR TWEET OR POST. Words can do so much damage, even when the intent is good. You are under a microscope, so think first. Take an extra minute to think through the words you are about to share and the potential effect of those words. If you're the least bit unsure, wait a bit, ask a friend or simply keep the thought(s) to yourself. 3. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. Your actions are just as powerful as your words on this kind of stage. Here's a simple rule: don't do anything dumb. If it seems dumb, it probably is, and you should avoid it. Remember, you're under a microscope. 4. PROMOTE THE POSITIVE. Remember to do good and promote positivity in what you do. We all know that those positive things won't garner nearly as much attention as if you got into trouble, but do it anyway. Because you can. As always, #LookBeforeYouLeap!

[sportystateofmind]

Early Thoughts on Making "The Leap" from Collegiate Sports

As a collegiate athlete, you’ll be faced with so many choices as you decide what to do with your future. I want to help you with tips and advice and guidance as you think through your options for your future. Here are three quick tips:

1. You must do what’s best for YOU. This tip may seem odd coming from me, given that I’m trying to assist you in your process. But I say it genuinely. You will never find happiness if you are living for others. Live for yourself. Do what makes you happy.

2. Keep up with old, good habits. Don’t abandon the hard work, drive and discipline that have gotten you this far. You’ve found success for a reason. Don’t forget those reasons. Maintain your habits and improve on them.

3. Heed older and wiser folks who have gone before you. One thing that I’ve learned over time is there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. If it’s been done before, talk to those with experience and learn from them. You don’t have to follow in their exact footsteps, but you can also avoid the mistakes they’ve already made. Create your own path while leaping past potholes and traps.

As always: #LookBeforeYouLeap!

[sportystateofmind]

Early Thoughts on Making "The Leap" from Collegiate Sports

As a collegiate athlete, you'll be faced with so many choices as you decide what to do with your future. I want to help you with tips and advice and guidance as you think through your options for your future. Here are three quick tips: 1. You must do what's best for YOU. This tip may seem odd coming from me, given that I'm trying to assist you in your process. But I say it genuinely. You will never find happiness if you are living for others. Live for yourself. Do what makes you happy. 2. Keep up with old, good habits. Don't abandon the hard work, drive and discipline that have gotten you this far. You've found success for a reason. Don't forget those reasons. Maintain your habits and improve on them. 3. Heed older and wiser folks who have gone before you. One thing that I've learned over time is there's no need to reinvent the wheel. If it's been done before, talk to those with experience and learn from them. You don't have to follow in their exact footsteps, but you can also avoid the mistakes they've already made. Create your own path while leaping past potholes and traps. As always: #LookBeforeYouLeap!