Retirement before 40 or even 30 years of age is a dream for many but a harsh reality for most athletes. The body and mind can only go so far in a sporting career and once over, the athlete is faced with a new challenge. What to do now? Following are some insights vital on Coping with retirement transition that will help you slow down and manage the shock and eased schedule.
The reason for retirement can be a natural end to a long and gratifying career. It may be premature with the athlete forced out through injury, de-selection or financial reasons. Whatever the reason, there is a transition the athlete needs to go through to adjust to a new way of life. It took me three times to finally retire from the sport.
Being prepared will eliminate a lot of the shock of retiring. A lot of us have had to retire forcefully. Either because we have been put out of work or reached mandatory retirement age and have not been able to find other employment. The premise behind a successful transition after job is to have something to keep you busy.
Most of us have had a lifetime of work, and the thought of not working is frightening. We might put on a good face, but inside, we are scared and worried. The big question is how do we cope with forced retirement? Recovering from the shock of retirement can be difficult. But consider the following:
Premature retirement is more painful. It also extends into elongated healing periods. This is the point that "ifs" and other "I should haves" occur. This is also the stage where you need to consider your health and body capacity. Retiring prematurely will give you the chance to reflect that people have different aptitudes, skills and destinies.
The uncertainty of the future is sometimes compounded by the athlete's apparent lack of relevant qualification and work experience. However, it is important to realize that there are many qualities and skills gained from being involved in sport at a high professional level. These need to be recognized and then 'sold' to a potential employer.
Retiring because of injury creates more issues to deal with and prolongs the process. Many may persist in looking back to the past, and thinking of opportunities. Missing out on selection in a major team can also create problems. Some athletes may delay retirement in this case in order to fulfill dreams, but instead leading to further heartache.
Support is essential in moving forward. This support may come from family and friends, or it may come from professional help -counseling, career guidance or even a coach. Athletes are used to having coaches in their sport so why not continue to have a coach in life to help keep them on track, motivated and working towards new goals.
The reason for retirement can be a natural end to a long and gratifying career. It may be premature with the athlete forced out through injury, de-selection or financial reasons. Whatever the reason, there is a transition the athlete needs to go through to adjust to a new way of life. It took me three times to finally retire from the sport.
Being prepared will eliminate a lot of the shock of retiring. A lot of us have had to retire forcefully. Either because we have been put out of work or reached mandatory retirement age and have not been able to find other employment. The premise behind a successful transition after job is to have something to keep you busy.
Most of us have had a lifetime of work, and the thought of not working is frightening. We might put on a good face, but inside, we are scared and worried. The big question is how do we cope with forced retirement? Recovering from the shock of retirement can be difficult. But consider the following:
Premature retirement is more painful. It also extends into elongated healing periods. This is the point that "ifs" and other "I should haves" occur. This is also the stage where you need to consider your health and body capacity. Retiring prematurely will give you the chance to reflect that people have different aptitudes, skills and destinies.
The uncertainty of the future is sometimes compounded by the athlete's apparent lack of relevant qualification and work experience. However, it is important to realize that there are many qualities and skills gained from being involved in sport at a high professional level. These need to be recognized and then 'sold' to a potential employer.
Retiring because of injury creates more issues to deal with and prolongs the process. Many may persist in looking back to the past, and thinking of opportunities. Missing out on selection in a major team can also create problems. Some athletes may delay retirement in this case in order to fulfill dreams, but instead leading to further heartache.
Support is essential in moving forward. This support may come from family and friends, or it may come from professional help -counseling, career guidance or even a coach. Athletes are used to having coaches in their sport so why not continue to have a coach in life to help keep them on track, motivated and working towards new goals.
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Get great advice for coping with retirement transition anxiety and more information about the Reflect on Retirement blog at http://www.reflectonretirement.com/category/at-retirement today.
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