When it's Time

It's that time of year. For over 95% of High School football players, they recently put on a helmet and bit down on a mouth piece for the last time, and they now have to walk away from a sport that, for many, has been an meaningful part of their lives for 12 years. In the football ecosystem, Seniors begin to see the finality of their last season at about week five. There are signs. They begin to linger after practice to talk more with the coaches. Their practice intensity rises (more is at stake). They begin to mentor and hold underclassmen more accountable. I've hugged hundreds of young men when the final quarter ended on this time of their lives. It's heartbreaking, and as a coach, thankfully, I am not numb from the experience. But, it is the natural order of things. Most will move on to other sports or hobbies that are friendly beyond the time of organized football. They will golf, join the work softball league, play dodgeball, throw axes and maybe even play in a flag football league. Others may become coaches - lol...

There is a time for everything to come to an end and a new journey to begin. As painful as it is to close a chapter of your life, there is solace in knowing that another chapter is opening, and gratefully, that new chapter will benefit from your previous experiences. Unlike High School football, there is no clock ticking signifying when it's time to walk away. I wish I could counsel you on when it's time to move on. But, I believe you'll know. Maybe the vibe has changed in the office with your leadership. Lots of closed door meetings - continued austerity measures - overwhelming pressure on the sales teams - cut backs on office gatherings. All could be signs that it's time to make the move.

And then there's you. You've lost the loving feeling. You wake up without the energy you once had. It's Sunday and you dread Monday. Time for an inventory. Is it you? Is it "them"? Are you just in a rut that you need to break through or are there no solutions for you where you are? Time to CAREFULLY consider your next move. Engage your personal Board of Directors. Share freely with them and listen to their advice.

Unlike the end of a football career, you have time to plot your next move. If you are mildly discontent but convinced it's time to move on may I offer this advice:

Play through the whistle, as a coach would say. That's me. I'm the coach. Continue to perform your current role with excellence until you secure you next assignment. You know what can take you from mildly discontent to miserable? Not having a stream of income. Don't do that to yourself.

Are you REALLY unhappy with your current situation? Carefully consider the reality of trading the peace that may come from not being there, to the discomfort of not having a job and no prospects of a future income. If are fortunate enough to have a buffer in the bank account (3-4 months of liquidity), then OK, bust your move. At the end of the day, you should know your career liquidity. If you are a 5 Star Recruit, someone will pick you up. If you are a "B" player, you may want to plot your move and not rush to the open waters of the fickle job market. By the way, no one self evaluates as a "B" - this is when your personal Board of Directors will come in handy. They should be objective as it relates to the situation and your prospects.

Transitions need not be painful, but they do require a thoughtful approach. Be methodical as you approach the next move in your life. Seek guidance from friends and family who can provide an objective perspective to your current situation- be a voracious networker and engaged in your industry / trade, and most importantly, be really, really good at what you do. The world, like football, rewards excellence.