Sports Management’s Post

#Day2 #LinkedinSportsChallenge share 3 actionable tips for excelling in the sports industry 1. Make friends; don’t network. 2. For every 2 books/items you read on a topic directly related to your career field, read 1 that is unrelated. 3. Balance is bull**** if you want to excel, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want to survive. 1. I fully concede that this is my personal bias/perception, but the work “network” leaves a bad taste in my mouth. To me, it implies that one is only interested in making connections for the purpose of getting a job or some immediate tangible benefit. And while that may be the ultimate goal down the line, if you only approach it with that mindset, people will be able to sniff it out. Instead, when you reach out to people, take a genuine interest in them as a person and in the work that they are doing. It may not happen immediately, and it may not even happen with the person or organization you’re talking to, but people are more likely to employ you or refer you if they know that you are genuinely interested in your work and in other people. 2. Read books on education, statistics, biographies of leaders in other sports outside of your own and outside of sport OR BUSINESS, read fiction even…read books for the sake of reading rather than simply career advancement—for the mental stimulation—for the opportunity to step outside your own world and see it the way others do. Generally, certain fields within the sport industry are relatively young compared to others, and some can be very niche. That means if you only draw experiences and ideas from material and people in your current field, you may be drastically narrowing the ideas you are exposed to in topics that a large accumulation of people in other fields have had many more years to develop. This doesn’t mean you have to become an expert in something else—but knowing enough to keep yourself dangerous allows you to remain valuable outside of a narrow scope, and it allows you to develop an understanding of new ideas and even ideas you may have already thought of to a far greater depth. 3. At some point, if you really want to excel, you’re going to have to throw work-life balance out the window. And if you really enjoy what you’re doing, you’re going to do it gladly. And you WILL excel by doing so. But remember this is a dangerous weapon that needs to be used wisely. Burnout is common in sports, even rampant, whether you’re working in S&C, sport science, athletic training, business, almost anything. Periodize your years like a strength coach might periodize a program. There are times in the year where it’ll be necessary for you to go hard—maybe that’s inseason, maybe for some that’s the off-season where you can really focus on con-ed. But when it’s time to rest, rest hard. Take vacation, travel, see friends and family. You will come back refreshed, renewed, and ready to truly provide full effort to those times of the year that you need to go hard.

#Linkedinsportschallenge Day 2 Prompt: Share 3 actionable tips for excelling in the sports industry. 1. Be On Time: The sports world moves fast and you never know who and what will be where. To ensure that you complete your tasks on time and make a good impression, show up on time and ready for whatever the day throws your way. 2. Be Flexible: I am not sure if I have ever had a day that has gone exactly as planned, and that’s just the nature of the industry. Instead of being frustrated about the change of plans or hiccups in the road, be creative and open to adapting to whatever roadblocks may appear. 3.Stay Humble: All of the greatest organizations I have been around have carried the same theme: no person is bigger than any job regardless of the title they hold. Remaining accessible and humane as you ascend the ladder will only help boost morale in your workspace and create a culture where giving is the norm. It will certainly make a more enjoyable and successful experience.

Self doubt. Something that riddles elite athletes across all sports. Throughout my career it was something I struggled with and now, looking back, it may have been something that held me back from getting even more out of myself during my time in sport. I felt I was capable enough of being there, but there was this nagging feeling in my mind, constantly wondering if others felt the same. So many sports people suffer with self doubt and it can end up being one of the main drivers for them individually in that professional environment. When retiring from sport, it's inevitable that self doubt creeps in because, in many cases, athletes are out of their comfort zones. It can evolve into imposter syndrome of course, but in starting the process early of being comfortable with being uncomfortable outside of sport, these feelings of self doubt will be dulled and athletes are able to make quicker moves into 'real world' roles. I have experienced this working since retiring but also within the media work that I have been involved in. In my case, it's helped me demonstrate levels of resilience and relentlessness as I try to be as successful as I can within those areas. In sport, athletes are driven by their pursuit of success and are incredibly goal oriented and their drive to be the best and succeed can't simply be switched off which means they continue to demonstrate a drive to achieve which is something we know at FutureProof Pro is extremely attractive to potential employers. Without structure and a direction to follow, it's hard for athletes to harness this drive and we are working hard with all of the businesses, partners, clubs and the athletes themselves, to make sure that we can create environments for them to flourish in. #selfdoubt #impostersyndrome #doubt #sport #sports #sportsbusiness #business #transition #careers #transferableskills James Hitchman Paul Ioannou

Do you hesitate when making decisions? In the wide world of sports, hesitation can be the difference between scoring a goal or missing a shot. I had first hand experience of this while coaching my son’s soccer team last night. I noticed my son hesitating after receiving a pass, intercepting the ball, or taking a shot at the goal. I realized that his hesitation came from overthinking his next move, giving defenders time to reposition. Even though he was in optimal scoring positions, his hesitation sometimes led to other outcomes. How often do we find ourselves hesitating in crucial moments, whether in our careers, new business ventures, or other aspects of life? Hesitation comes from an inclination to overthink, contemplating other possibilities and potential consequences. While some level of consideration is important, excessive hesitation let’s negativity seep in, creating doubt, undermining our confidence and self assurance. I feel we must strike a balance between thoughtful planning and decisive action. Delayed decisions due to hesitation might result in missed opportunities.The same principle applies to even your career choices, hesitation in pursuing a new job, a promotion, or change in direction can inhibit personal growth and development. Building confidence in our abilities, cultivating a positive mindset, and embracing a proactive approach are all a good start to overcoming hesitation. When we trust our instincts and act decisively, we position ourselves for success and growth, both in sports and life. I’m curious to hear your thoughts? #hesitation #takeaction

Athletes, with their diverse backgrounds and skills, possess valuable assets that can be harnessed beyond the sports arena. The moment I stopped playing volleyball, in order to keep myself engaged as before, I dedicated my time to additional education. One critical consideration for athletes is leveraging their education, skills, and experience to carve out a new path in the job market. And be prepared, it is not easy. Same like in the sports competition when you strive to become a champion. Whether pursuing entrepreneurship, corporate roles, or connecting to the sports world nationally or globally, each avenue offers distinct benefits and hurdles. Age also plays a significant role, as seasoned athletes face added complexities, particularly transitioning to corporate roles after prolonged sporting success. From my experience, most of the companies supporting engagement of former athletes are doing nothing more than a marketing and PR in the moment. And same athletes can do much more than administration and sales. Nevertheless, embracing new ventures post-career can greatly enhance an athlete's overall quality of life: 🔹 Mental Well-being: Many of my friends dealt with serious health issues. The ones who addmitted it, got faster back on a “normal life” track. 🔹 Financial Security: It can become challenging seeing the bank account balance decrease faster than before. But take it as an invitation to monetize what you know doing best. 🔹 Sense of Purpose: Never stop growing. Read, learn, travel, meet people and communicate and find your purpose. #athlete #aftercareer #mentalhealth #transition #personaldevelopment

There are many problems associated with transitioning from professional sport. Its a grieving process and takes a huge toll on individuals that we sometimes forget, are just human beings. Human beings that have a job playing sport. A large proportion of society and even those who love their sport, underestimate the support required for each player, many believing that professional sports people are financially set. More than 99% need to work again, find new roles and a new purpose in life. Even those with financial security will struggle. They key for sports people is to be proactive. Take the opportunities to meet new people. Learn from them. Understand their world. Ask questions about their roles, their businesses and companies, think about where you fit and what you might enjoy and therefore be good at. Surrounding yourself with good people is imperative. Much harder in sports where people unfortunately see £ signs and not the person. It may take time to learn what to look out for. I got burnt. It was a steep learning curve but ones that’s helped me. Yes it was painful but I now see it being due to the fact I hadn’t focussed on the right areas while I was playing. Cards marked, notes made and move on. We can turn it around though too. Are you someone who loves sport, has taken huge joy from watching your team and the players you love to see? What could you do, where possible, to help soften the blow of sporting retirement? I bet there’s something you can do if you really think about it. Would your business provide opportunities for shadowing or work experience? Would your company be interested in hiring extremely driven individuals to raise performance levels? Does your company spend large sums on sports hospitality and sponsorship and wonder what the return is sometimes? FutureProof Pro can prove an amazing way to activate sports sponsorship and has several unique and game changing possibilities. Please be bold enough to trust me on the difference you can make to so many. It may be small to you but it could be huge for them. Thanks for reading. 🙏🏽 #sport #business #sportsbusiness #transition #careers #performance #sports #development #partnerships #sponsorship #commercial

Sports aren't just about fun and games – they can supercharge your career too! 🚀🏀 On this National Sports Day, let's take a moment to celebrate not just the thrill of the game, but also the invaluable life skills and career benefits that sports bring to the table. 🤝 Teamwork Skills: Playing sports teaches you how to be an awesome team player. And guess what? Team players are like gold in the workplace! 💪 Resilience Boost: Just like in sports, career paths have ups and downs. But the strength you gain from sports helps you bounce back and keep going strong! ⏰ Time Management Magic: Balancing practice and games? That's time management in action. These skills make you a pro at managing tasks in your job too! 👑 Leadership Lessons: Leading your sports squad? You're learning leadership skills that bosses admire. Being a great leader is a big deal at work too! 😅 Stress-Handling Skills: Sports teach you how to stay cool under pressure. And that's a superpower when deadlines approach at work! 🤝 Networking Bonanza: Playing sports introduces you to awesome people – just like how networking connects you to cool career opportunities! So, whether you're a sports superstar or just enjoy a friendly match, remember that your love for sports can help you kickstart your career for success. Cheers to your love for sports and careers growth.🎉🥳 #nationalsportsday #lifeskills #careercounselling #transforminglives #tuesdaytransformation #gyaannirudra

Anybody else finding it extremely hard to LOCK IN right now? I sure am. This job search is tough and I know I'm not alone. John Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches to ever step on a court, said "success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." I think about this phrase a lot, especially right now. Am I doing enough? If I'm doing my best, why has success not followed? Do I really have "peace of mind?" Wooden wasn't just talking about winning championships. He's talking about life. One of the reasons I love sports so much is because they're a metaphor for just that - life. Admittedly, mine is happier than my golf game, generally speaking, so maybe it's not always 100% true but you know what I mean. Wooden's "peace of mind" phrase comes from his famous Pyramid of Success, which hangs on the wall directly behind me as I'm typing. I had the privilege of meeting him thanks to a very close family friend, Andy Hill, who played for Coach (all of his players still call him that) in the late 60s and early 70s and won three national championships at UCLA. Andy preaches the quirky adages and life lessons Coach taught him beginning as an 18 year old freshman running the infamous fast break drill that Wooden insisted end with a 15 foot bank shot. Thanks to my relationship with Andy, I was lucky enough to hear about those experiences since I was a little kid. While the pyramid includes the building blocks of what Wooden believes will lead to success, that one overarching phrase encompasses it all. We're all guilty of grinding too hard, not taking a step back to evaluate what we've done, or even acknowldge the effort we've put in to something. When I see this pyramid, I'm reminded to do so. And to also knock down that 15 foot jumper. #success #perserverance #jobsearch #marketing #entertainment

What's that phrase...not for the faint of heart? At the risk of being dramatic, working in sports is...well, you know what I was going to say. I think those wanting to break in should have a clear idea of what they're getting into. So for those who don't know, let me pull back the curtain a little bit: ⚽ Sports is demanding. Coaches and athletes are laying it on the line and they expect the same from the rest of us. So do the people paying them and supporting them. ⚾ Sports rewards availability and dependability. Because the industry is event-driven, doesn't really sleep, and has a lot of moving parts, you gotta show up and show out to be of value. 🏀 Sports might require moving out to move up. Depends on the employer, but at least in college sports, there tends to be a lot of movement and turnover, especially if you're looking to ascend the ladder. 🥎 Sports isn't always predictable hours. Depends on your specialty (game ops is different from legal, for example) but questions, emergencies, and of course the actual games happen outside of "9 to 5." 🏈 Sports is definitely a lifestyle. It's cliche, but it's true - embracing working in sports as a way of life rather than just a job might help align your expectations. No intent here to run you off, on the contrary. I think you'll stick around if you have a better perspective going in. What questions do you have? ➡️ #LinkedInsports #sportsjobs #sportsbiz