10 Lessons Learned from 10 Seasons in Professional Sports

On the eve of what will be my fourth season as a San Jose Shark and my tenth in professional sports, I’m feeling both energized and nostalgic. It’s easy to understand where the energy is coming from – I mean, have you seen the Sharks’ roster?! GOODNESS. The nostalgia, though, has me a bit baffled and is what has prompted me to pen what I feel are the top 10 lessons I’ve learned in my 10 seasons as a pro.

10. There will be days in which your actions at work can only be described as something akin to running with scissors. And, that’s totally OK. Just make sure you don’t have too many of those days – and, that you are holding the scissors properly.

9. You will continue to evolve (hopefully), which means your hopes, goals, and dreams are likely to evolve as well. This, too, is totally OK. Go with it – you might find yourself in the most wonderful place imaginable even though it’s a place you had never even imagined.

8. You will encounter every type of boss that you’ve ever heard about. Some will be mentors for life, some will be people that you wish you had never met, and some will fall somewhere in the middle. Regardless of how you may feel about these bosses as people, each and every one of them has something to teach you. Be patient. Find the lesson. Even when it’s the very last thing you want to do. It will be worth it. I promise.

7. The suggestion to be kinder than necessary is a good one to follow. Whether it’s colleagues or executives, fans or secret shoppers, children or adults, we really don’t ever know what someone else is going through and kindness can go along way to alleviating another’s pain or stress. Yes – there will be days that you don’t feel equipped to do so. It is on those days that you’ll really see the value of the advice, particularly when someone is kinder to you than necessary.

6. The space in which you lose time, aren’t glued to your phone and/or have goosebumps is the space in which you’re meant to exist. Pay attention to these moments and build your life around them personally and professionally. You’re virtually guaranteed to find greater levels of success this way. Happiness, too, which is what I think we should all be striving for.

5. When pursuing anything in this life – a special project, a promotion, a new job, an advanced degree, or even a personal record in a 5K, know why you’re pursuing it. If YOU don’t know why, it will be virtually impossible to tell someone else all of the reasons that you deserve and/or have earned said project, promotion, new job, and/or advanced degree.

4. Woody Allen was absolutely correct when he said that “just showing up is half the battle.” On some mornings – especially those following a game that went into triple overtime – this can be tough to remember. But it's a quote (and practice) worth remembering. And, on those days in which you need that extra snooze to ensure you do show up, a really snazzy hat can be of great assistance.

3. Make it a habit to catch people doing really great things – and then tell them about it. While there certainly is a time and a place to discuss mistakes made and ways to correct and/or prevent future versions of them, I find far more joy in telling on people for doing awesome deeds. As a bonus, when that joy is shared, it winds up amplified and creates more awesome deeds.

2. Have the tough conversations. The ones in which you need to apologize for something. The ones in which you are asking for more than what you have right now. The ones in which you are frustrated by another’s behavior. The ones in which you think the answer might be no. They’re scary and awkward and crunchy for sure. They’re also likely to lead to a better overall work environment for you and for those around you.*

1. Believe in yourself. All day, every day. You are where you are today based on everything you did yesterday and the day before that and the day before that. Be proud. Celebrate your wins and your journey. YOU DID IT. And you will continue to do it as long as you believe you can.

If my list didn't capture any of your greatest lessons, please share them in the comments. In the meantime, I leave you with this: GO SHARKS!

*If this list were covering the 10 Hardest Things to Do in the Workplace, “having the tough conversations” would be #1 (maybe #2 and #3 as well).