From Combine to the 1st Day of Camp

Courtesy of sportsillustrated.cnn.com  

Professional athletes have all had the dream to make it to the big league.  Once they are drafted or have had successful combine results and are lucky to be signed, dreams have morphed into reality.  But just like people employed in careers that are not necessarily dream jobs, there is a time frame each person must endure initially that will either stimulate and motivate the desire to excel or filter out the weak links that just do not have what it takes.


In corporate America, it is the three month probationary period for employees and contractors.  For professional sports, it is training camp for the athlete.

Here are four tips to help make the transition from unsure to gainfully employed:
1) Remain humble. Management and coaches already know who will most likely remain on the team before camp begins. This time is mostly for the ones who have exhibited talent, competitiveness, and toughness but the determination is left as to whether they are a good fit.  Good fit is not only about how well they will replace others but also character, reputation, and the ability to get along well with others including leadership.  This is the time to remove associates that exhibit poor judgment and keep people around that are discerning about what it takes to keep your humility and ability to focus in check.
2)  Be prepared and stay alert.  Whether it is working out endlessly to be in the best condition before training camp or researching work assignments that apply to what your task will be, stay the course with self-discipline.  Turn preparation, like watching film, into habit by focusing at least twice a day.  Now this also means getting the appropriate amount of rest and turning down the solicitations to hang out on the weeknights at the local bar or club so that you can remain alert during your "day job".
3)  Befriend no one. The people that are trying to be the friendliest are normally the ones that are the most divisive or competitive.  They either want to know what you know or stop you from where you are trying to go.  This is not the time to build a family dynamic in this trial period.  After the team is set and you are grounded in checks, determine who you want to have in your space and filter accordingly.
4)  Stay drama free externally.  There will always be significant others and spouses and those who seem to continue to hang on.  Be sure these individuals do not bring added stresses of neediness but provide the level of support necessary for you to remain focused on the ultimate result of getting past this period.

After all no career is really promised a lifetime but there must be the right focus to make it off the starting line for the first few months.  Treat this time like a combine and use these tips and work hard to stay off the unemployment line.

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