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Did you ever catch yourself daydreaming about a completely different path, something that feels exciting? Maybe even a little out of reach? And then, immediately shutting it down with a quiet “that’s not for me!" What if the biggest risk in your career isn’t making a bold move, but staying exactly where you are?
Changing jobs, industries, or even countries isn’t just about a new role. It’s about stepping into the unknown and daring to create the life you truly desire. In an industry as fast-moving as sports, this can feel overwhelming. The fear of uncertainty, the pressure to adapt, and the question of whether you’re making the right move can all cloud your vision.
For me, the documentary Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy (2017) is a brilliant inspiration for getting into the driver's seat and creating a richer, more fulfilling life. It reminds us that true success is based on mindset. Talent and effort open the door, but it’s how you think, grow, and push through that defines how far you can go. It starts with anchoring yourself in purpose, defining your core values, and setting your own standards. True growth happens when you align who you are with how you want to live. Not just in your career, but in your relationships and daily actions. Success is about conviction and the courage to take action.
“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” – Napoleon Hill. If your career move is fuelled by purpose, it’s not just a change, it’s a transformation.
A career transition is a chance to elevate every aspect of your life. When you stay true to who you are at your core, you’re building a path toward lasting success. But how do you navigate a transition effectively?
A compelling study published in the Harvard Business Review (2023), “Values, Passion, or Purpose — Which Should Guide Your Career?” highlights a critical insight: successful career transitions aren’t about reinvention, but about clarity. The research highlights that professionals who build their careers around core values and purpose, rather than simply chasing the next big opportunity, tend to experience deeper and more lasting fulfillment.
What kind of impact do you want to have? It’s a simple question, but one powerful enough to shift your entire direction. Purpose goes beyond a title or a finish line. It’s the deeper reason behind what you do. The meaning that carries you through uncertainty, change, and challenge. To find it, pause and reflect:
You don’t stumble on purpose in just one moment. It reveals itself through patterns in your experience. So take a moment. Breathe. Look back. Reflect on what captures the impact you want to have. That’s where your "why" lives. Your core values shape how you work, what matters to you, and where you thrive. To define them, consider:
For me, one of my strongest values is inspiration. When I feel inspired, I become creative, motivated, and almost unstoppable. It’s the fuel that pushes me to think bigger, take bold action, and stay excited about what’s ahead. With it, everything becomes an opportunity. Once you define your core values, they become a filter for every career decision. If an opportunity doesn’t align with them, it’s not the right fit, no matter how "good" it looks on paper.
It becomes clear how powerful intention and action can be. The key to sustaining motivation is to create an environment that keeps your energy high. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Build a vision that excites you, a life you can’t wait to wake up to. Successful transitions don’t come from forcing yourself into the next step. They come from aligning with what lights you up and using that energy to move forward with clarity. The more you understand yourself, the more effortlessly you’ll step into the right opportunities. Reflecting on my own transitions and my recent journey, here are some important lessons I’ve learned:
The sports industry thrives on connections, trust, and shared experiences. Building genuine relationships early, is a great indicator to long-term success. Making it a priority to connect with people regularly, learning from their experiences and asking for guidance rather than just opportunities is an advantage. The best mentors are not just those at the top, but those who understand your journey and can offer real, practical insights. Reach out before you need to and be genuinely interested in others' journeys.
Your background and skills don’t speak for themselves, how you position them does. The way you frame your experience can be the difference between being overlooked and standing out. I learned to tell my story in a way that made sense for the situation I was moving into rather than just where I was coming from. Adapt your narrative to your audience. Focus less on titles and past companies and more on impact, transferable skills, and value creation.
No matter how much you plan, career transitions often take unexpected turns. The ability to stay flexible and open to different paths can turn challenges into opportunities. Stepping into freelance work wasn’t something I had initially planned. It honestly felt a bit daunting at the beginning. But now that I’m in it, I’m realizing how much freedom it gives me to explore, learn, and grow in real time. I’m working on projects I wouldn’t have imagined a few months ago, and meeting people who are expanding how I think about my career. It’s not all figured out, but that’s kind of the point. The perfect opportunity might not appear right away. Being open to unconventional paths like contract work, or short-term gigs is teaching me that sometimes, the unexpected route is exactly where you’re meant to be.
In a competitive industry, your reputation and visibility matter. A strong personal brand helps opportunities find you, rather than you always chasing them. One thing that helped me was simply starting to write about topics I care about on LinkedIn. It sparked conversations, brought in new connections, and opened unexpected doors. Another great place to start? Get clear on your core values. Knowing what you stand for makes it easier to show up consistently and authentically. Don’t wait until you need a job to build your brand. Start now, define your core, and let your presence grow from there. Be active in the industry, share your perspective, and let people know what you stand for.
People love to share their knowledge, if you ask the right way. Seeking advice instead of favors is one of the most powerful ways to build relationships and gain valuable insights. Instead of asking for job related things, I ask for experiences, stories, and guidance. This often led to organic opportunities and introductions I wouldn’t have found otherwise. One thing that’s made a real difference is being upfront about where I’m stuck or unsure. Leading with vulnerability, naming the challenge instead of hiding it, often creates the most honest and helpful conversations. One key thing to also remember: Take in every perspective but only carry forward the advice that truly fits you.
Transitions come with rejections, doubts, and moments of frustration. But often, the biggest opportunities come right after you push through the tough moments. There were times I questioned whether things were moving fast enough. But looking back, every small step, every conversation, and every challenge played a role in leading me to the right opportunities. Stay consistent and patient. If things feel slow, remind yourself: you might be just one conversation, one email, or one meeting away from a breakthrough.
Before I wrap up, here’s one piece of life advice I keep coming back to. Something my dad always says that never fails to put things in perspective: “Is your life in danger?” If not, take a breath. With all the excitement and stress that come with change, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. No career move is life or death. Success isn’t about becoming someone new but growing into the best version of yourself. The next chapter is yours to shape.
So be honest: Are you chasing what feels safe and expected, or creating a life that excites you? Take five quiet minutes today and write down what you truly want, not what you think you should want. That simple reality check is where your next chapter can begin.
This article was written by Global Sports Contributor Nicolas Herbst, a Sports Events & Marketing Specialist. You can view the original article here.
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