Athletes like you have honed a unique intuition that instinctive awareness of what’s working, what’s not, and what needs adjusting. Through my work with 2ndwind, I’ve seen just how powerful this “athletic intuition” can be.
But what is it and why am I so curious about it?
Instinct (according to those real books) is an ability to understand or know something without needing to think about it. As an athlete that is something you’ve honed through countless hours of training and competition. But, it doesn’t have to stay on the field, track, pool or court. This skill can be one of your biggest assets as you step into a new career.
Transitioning out of sports might feel overwhelming, but that same instinct for strategy and split-second decision-making can guide you through any new field. Take Damon Mclean, a former Jamaican Commonwealth Games National Team athlete, now thriving in sales leadership. On a recent 2ndwind podcast episode, he talked about how his athletic intuition helps him anticipate challenges and discover new solutions.
Like Damon, you can trust that learned intuition to guide you in whatever comes next.
Here’s what you can do to Trust Your Athletic Instinct:
Reflect on your “athletic intuition” – How can you apply that same strategic thinking and adaptability in your career?
1/ Start with small steps: Use your experience to recognise patterns in workplace scenarios. What behaviours to do you see that support success? It’s similar to how I would identify game patterns as a player. Write them down as part of a reflection ritual - so they serve as a reminder.
2/ Seek Continuous Learning: Engage in training and skill development to stay current with industry changes and improve adaptability. As an athlete, i used to learn something about me, the opposition or tactics every day.
3/ Continue to Embrace Change: Develop a growth mindset to view change as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Remember, the skills you’ve built don’t disappear; they just need a new playing field.
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