Understanding differentiation for professional sports.
I’ve always said, “What got you here, won’t get you there.” What a lot of young athletes often miss in the excitement of getting drafted is that their baseline is no longer good enough. While they stood out among their peers, they are now moving into a place where every player is just as good. The key to mastering the jump is managing the transition as a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t try to do everything all at once. From development to management, there is a lot being involved in the process to becoming pro, and burnout looms on the horizon.
In addition, I tell my athletes over and over: differentiate. What is going to make you stand out from the other amazing players?
Is it your grit? Your speed? Your work ethic? Your sportsmanship? Find a niche and perfect it. What are you going to do that’s really going to separate yourself from the pack? Challenge yourself and your coaches and managers to come up with a good answer!
Get some insight on how to make yourself stand out from our “Going Pro“ podcast with John Stevenson & Manny Schmidt. Also check out the video below for the highlights!
