How can I manage my career?
Key Learnings
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Setting a clear and precise objective helps you to concentrate your efforts and gets you heading in the right direction.
Divide your goals by time slots: (a) lifetime goals; (b) career goals; (c) season goals.
By making better use of your time, you can achieve your goals much more easily.
Prioritise tasks based on importance and urgency and remove non-essential activities.
Making good choices is crucial for success as much of your earning potential is related to your reputation on and off-the-court.
Only use the advice of others to inform your decision-making process – don’t rely on it as the sole basis for your final decision. You are ultimately responsible for the decisions you make.
Networking is the art of building alliances and can help you get a job, find a sponsor, make new friends, get new ideas, etc.
Preparing for your professional life after basketball is just as important as your current career on-the-court.
During your basketball career, you can invest in your development through part-time education.

Transferable skills

Have you ever considered that the passion you exhibit on-the-court could be your key to a successful career off-the-court?

As a basketball player you have demonstrated the discipline, focus, and competitive spirit that many employers want their employees to have. As such, you may want to factor in you experience as a professional player when choosing an option for education or skills training. You have a unique opportunity to leverage your current position in the next chapter of your life.

To be a successful player, you possess qualities and personal traits that are rare and very attractive to most organisations. These traits may include being:

  • Team-oriented
  • Results-driven
  • Competitive
  • Coachable
  • Resilient
  • Accountable
  • Mentally tough
  • Confident
  • Able to overcome adversity

When making educational and professional choices, lean on your individual attributes and let your previous experiences and personal strengths guide you.

Although statistics show that former athletes tend to gravitate toward careers in sales, management and general business, the unique skill sets that professional athletes develop give you certain advantages for establishing successful careers in many different professions. These include sports-related careers such as physical educator, athletic trainer, coach, scout, general manager, etc.

However, while it can be wise to continue a professional path that allows you to work in sport, do not be afraid to try your hand at something new.