Lindsey Neff, M.Ed, CCSM’s Post

It's easy to feel overwhelmed when searching for a fulfilling career path. So slow it down. Embrace a fun based, exploratory approach to discover what truly resonates with you. This approach allows you to view your career and personal growth as an adventure not as a daunting quest but as an engaging adventure. It's about experimenting, learning, and refining what excites us, rather than adhering to a rigid, predefined path. Olympic Medallist and Athlete Welfare Change maker Marilyn Okoro OLY aptly puts it: "If you do have an idea of something that you are passionate about, lead with what you're interested in as well, and it can be almost like a fun exploratory process of elimination." I have found that when you focus on what energises you, it is possible to quickly shape areas of passion. You can read more about that here https://lnkd.in/gY4f35nu Try replacing “how do I find my passion?” by simply asking yourself “what energises me?” Here are three questions you should answer to find what energises you: What gets you out of bed? What lights you up? What are you doing when you lose track of time? Treating the journey as an exploration. It might just turn out to be a rewarding adventure filled with unexpected insights and opportunities. 🚀 #CareerDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #PassionAndPurpose #ExplorationJourney

The Pitfalls of a Reward-Oriented Mindset Reflecting on my journey, I've realized how a reward-oriented mindset has shaped my choices in ways that may not always align with my true desires. When I was in 3rd grade, my Nanu promised me a Tom & Jerry bag, my favorite, only if I took Karate classes. In 10th grade, right before my matriculation, my parents assured me a smartphone only if I scored First Class Distinction. During my engineering years, our college TAP officer promised assistance in securing good placements, but only if we met certain benchmarks. This conditioning of rewards only after achieving something often pushes us towards goals that may not resonate with our true interests or passions. No one ever explained that taking Karate lessons would make me stronger, or that a smartphone during 11th and 12th grade would be more of a distraction than an aid. Even securing a job isn't just about employment; it's about discovering our true passion and building a career around it. Now, in my professional journey in IT, my superiors often hint at the rewards of diligent work, yet tangible recognition remains elusive. I've come to understand that blindly chasing rewards can lead to unfulfilling choices. Instead, pursuing what genuinely interests us and aligns with our values is crucial. It's time to rethink how we motivate ourselves and others. Let's focus on encouraging exploration and personal growth, rather than just dangling a prize. By doing so, we can make choices that truly reflect our passions and aspirations, leading to more fulfilling and authentic careers. #ProfessionalGrowth #RethinkRewards #TruePassions #CareerChoices #AuthenticLiving #BetterLearning #GreaterOpportunities

Hey Linkedin family! So I spoke with a young athlete the other day who was struggling with playing time. Took me back to some early moments of “defeat” when the opportunity I was waiting for never seemed to arrive. This athlete, like many high performers, put in countless hours, sacrificing weekends, balancing work and school, and giving 100% to training. Yet, because of the lack of playing time, doubt had crept in, challenging his commitment. I’ll share with you what I told him: opportunity is like a train that doesn’t make extra stops—it’s moving on its own schedule. Those who stay ready are waiting on the platform, prepared to board when their moment finally arrives. The truth is “staying on the platform” is far from easy. It takes discipline, motivation, and focus, even when progress seems stalled. Those who are always ready aren’t surprised by success; they’re equipped and confident, knowing they’ve trained for this moment long before it arrived. It’s a powerful reminder for anyone working toward a big goal: stay in motion, stay prepared. True growth is forged in those moments when the opportunity hasn’t yet shown up. And when it does, they’ll be ready to step up and make it count. So my question for you is - what keeps you on the platform, prepared, even when the opportunity seems delayed?? Let’s discuss. #BeReady #OpportunityKnocks #StayPrepared #AlwaysInMotion #AthleteMindset #SuccessPreparation #StayDisciplined #AthleteJourney #TrustTheProcess

Kari James sent this to me this morning as I was heading into work. One of the reasons I love sports so much is they teach you a lot about life. Sports and life seem to have very similar traits, to add failures and successes are often driven by the same factors. The two things below are perfect examples. Work ethic and a desire to continue to learn and grow will lead to success in sports and life. Never quit learning, never quit working! LFG! #learn #develop #growth #teamvizy #lfg

From serious athlete to... What's next ? Here are 6️⃣Signs ⚠️ You have chosen the right career path…🚀 1. You look forward to going to work. You enjoy it. You are building or have skills at what you do. 2. You Feel energized (most of the time) by what you do. 3. You Feel your contribution is respected and appreciated. 4. You Feel your proud when describing your work to others. 5. You enjoy and respect the people you work with. 6. You feel optimistic about your future. Nail those 6 and you will be living your dream career beyond the field. I promise you, It's not all "down hill" after your sports career... You can find even more purpose, passion, & success beyond the game. Full Potential Or Nothing Athlete Transition Coach #athlete #athletes #career #careercoach #careers #careercoaching #highperformer #bestlife #fullpotential #fullpotentialliving #fullfillment #success #careergoals #careeradvice #athletecoach #lifecoach #forathletes #athletetransition

The Track & Field Effect: How a Sport Shaped My Life Who else reflects on their life journey? I certainly do and I'm reminded of the profound impact track and field had on my life, particularly during my formative years. This sport taught me invaluable lessons, instilled discipline, and ignited a passion that continues to burn bright. Lessons Learned on the Track - Resilience: Overcoming injuries, setbacks, and failures taught me to bounce back stronger. - Discipline: Adhering to rigorous training schedules and nutrition plans instilled a strong work ethic. - Teamwork: Relaying with teammates fostered camaraderie, trust, and communication. - Perseverance: Pushing through exhaustion and pain built mental toughness. Self-discovery: Exploring my strengths and weaknesses helped me find my identity. The Joy of Track & Field - Thrill of competition: Racing against others and myself drove me to excel. - Sense of accomplishment: Achieving personal records and medals fueled my confidence. - Lifelong friendships: Bonding with teammates and competitors created lasting relationships. How Track & Field Continues to Inspire Me - Professional applications: The discipline, resilience, and teamwork skills I developed serve me well in my career. - Personal growth: The sport taught me to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and celebrate successes. - Passing it on: I'm passionate about sharing my experience with others, inspiring them to find their own track and field journey. What sport or activity has had a profound impact on your life? What lessons did you learn, and how have they shaped you? How do you continue to apply those skills and passions in your personal and professional life? Share your story, and let's celebrate the transformative power of sports and activities that bring us joy and growth! #TrackAndField #SportsImpact #LifeLessons #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Resilience #Discipline #Teamwork #Perseverance #SelfDiscovery #Sports #LinkedInCommunity

Being a successful student-athlete requires more than just playing well on the field; it also requires self-control, dedication, and prioritization. Being a student-athlete, I can attest to the importance of having a good work ethic in both the classroom and competition. It takes commitment, perseverance, and time management to balance academics and athletics. Maintaining a high level of focus and effort is non-negotiable, whether it means practicing in the morning, studying late at night, or giving it you’re all in all areas. Success on game day is fueled by this work ethic, which also molds us into leaders and professionals off the field. Resilience, teamwork, and the will to always get better are the lessons I've gained along the way, and they will be useful in all facets of my life and career. I'm appreciative of the chance these experiences have given me to grow and eager to apply that same tenacity to my future undertakings. #StudentAthlete #WorkEthic #Success #Leadership #TimeManagement #Perseverance #Teamwork #Athletics #CareerSkills

Is Your College Career Over? 🎓🏀 #WorkOnYourGame Discover the moments of realization and tough decisions faced by student-athletes when their college sports journey comes to an end. Learn about the challenges and uncertainties they encounter, and their strategies to navigate through unexpected changes. #CollegeCareer #StudentAthlete #LifeAfterSports #TransitionPhase #DecisionsToMake #ChallengesAhead #NavigatingChange #FuturePlanning #Resilience #NewBeginnings

Just completed my first jog in what feels like forever, and it was an absolutely horrible experience. The distance covered over time is not something to brag about, but hey, progress is progress. Embarking on a journey to become a fitter and better version of myself, I realise that like in any aspect of life, be it business, a new career path, your personal life, it all starts with taking that initial step. Remember, taking that first step is crucial. You never know where it might lead you. And if things don't go as planned, well, at least you gave it a shot! 🏃♂️ #FitnessJourney #FirstStep #KeepGoing #Growth #Development

Playing sports has profoundly impacted my personal and professional life. Teaching me many life long skills such as: balancing responsibilities, teamwork, commitment, hard work, time management, goal setting, confidence, a growth mindset, and discipline. These lessons are ingrained in my DNA and continue to drive my professional growth. I’m excited to bring this blend of discipline and collaboration to new challenges and opportunities. #Sports #Academics #TimeManagement #Teamwork #ProfessionalGrowth