Taking Your Game To The Next Level

With the college football season at a close, its now a chance for many NCAA stars to make a decision: Do I stay and finish my four years or make myself eligibile for the NFL Draft? Its a tough decision that is debated by many players and people have differeing views on whether it should even be allowed.

But one thing is for sure, for those who decide to take the next step, their whole world is about to change. They are going from campus to celebrity, from the books to the spot light and it is no doubt a challenging transition, albeit an exciting one. It is a time of great transition in their lives and some handle it well while others crash and burn.

Often times we have opportunities to move up a ‘ladder of success’ or take a new job, a new opportunity, to take our ‘game’ to the next level. It can be exciting and anxious, invigorating and exhausting. Here are some things to remember as you prepare to take the next step.

1. Remember what got you there: The reason you’re being put in the position that you are is because you’ve been doing something right before this. Don’t get away from the things that have helped you be successful up to this point.

2. Use your intangibles: What are the things about you that are hard to articulate, but that make you exceptional at what you do? Maybe you have a uncanny ability to simply get the job done, or you make the people around you better because of your attitude and commitment. Whatever your intangibles are, use them in your new position.

3. Don’t be afraid to take a risk: People that play it safe will never make progress. They’ll never be leading in the front or making new discoveries, progress or growth. Have a confidence and assurance they you have the ability to make an impact.

4. Develop your strengths AND your weaknesses: Improvement can only come by acknowledging both your strengths and weaknesses. If you don’t develop the things that you are not particulary good at, someone or something will come along that will use your weaknesses against you.

Taking your game to the next level is an important step in any person’s life and one worth taking. These young men entering the NFL Draft have an opportunity to make a name for themselves in their field (and a lot of money). They got there by taking the gift of their talent and working hard to improve and hone their skill. They will have to continue to work even harder and longer hours at the ‘office’ to be successful at their craft.