Congratulations! You've been drafted!  You're a professional athlete now!  Here is your money! Don't forget about your newfound fame!  Also here is ton of stress, demands, and feelings of inadequacy!  Good luck!

The transition period from college to professional athletics is one of the most critical periods of an athlete's life, yet this transition is so overlooked!  It is as if athletes are expected to handle the stressors and challenges as just "part of the sport" and immediately produce for paying fans.  This critical period either makes or breaks athletes.

Dr. Laura Miele-Pascoe is a professor at Ohio University's Coaching Education Program and among her specializations is sports psychology.  Here are her 4 tips to excel in that transition of college to professional athletics.

Manage Money 

"First, it is imperative to have a financial advisor. Many athletes go bankrupt within a few years of retiring because they do not know how to properly manage the sudden rush of income. Antoine Walker is a prime example, as he went bankrupt only two years after retiring despite the fact that he made $110 million during his career."

Establish A Support System

"Psychological implications that come from such an instantaneous and overwhelming lifestyle can destroy any athlete if not handled properly. Even the most mentally tough athletes cannot hold up to the pressure and stress that an unwanted media storm can bring. This is another instance where having an objective sport psychology consultant to confide in can be particularly helpful.

A support system can assist an athlete set goals and standards to remain grounded and successful. Athletes need to give considerable thought to the standards by which they want to live their lives and follow them, particularly once their athletic careers are over. This type of forward thinking can be easy to ignore in the prime of an athlete’s successful career, when it is hard to imagine a life void of the spotlight and an enormous amount of money, but it remains central to their future well being."

Maintain A Positive Outlook

"On the other side of the spectrum are athletes who go from being superstars on their high school and college teams to being small fish in a big pond at the professional level. These athletes are used to receiving constant praise and positive reinforcement for their exceptional skills. It can be a very difficult adjustment at the professional level when their skills are no longer considered exceptional, but average. This blow to their self-confidence can have a negative impact on their athletic performance. Keeping a positive outlook and remaining grounded can improve their perspective. Other mental strategies that can help are visualization and positive self-talk."

Leave Work At Work

"Ultimately, it seems as though athletes who lead more balanced lives and do not let sports define and dictate their identities make the most successful transitions. It is common for athletes to become completely engulfed in their respective sports, and an athlete who does not examine the big picture will often experience detrimental and devastating consequences in the long term."

Read the whole article here.

Source: Psychology Today

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