By: Joe Londergan, @Joehio_
Moving can be tough, try to take away the positives. Image via Thinkstock
Sports is a volatile business. At some point, you’re going to have to physically chase opportunities in places unfamiliar to you. Last week marked my sixth move in five years. In that time, I’ve learned a few things to make this transition as smooth, painless, and fun as it can be.
Every Connection Counts — Think about every person you know with ties to the area. That includes friends, family, former coworkers, future coworkers, former classmates, etc. This is a great place to start, especially if you aren’t well versed in an area because these are the people who will be able to point you in the right direction. For example: What are some good areas to start house/apartment hunting in? What are the best routes for your new commute? What’s the parking situation like? Where’s the best local pizza? These are all important questions to pose to those who would know.
“Change is never easy to handle. Change forces action and adaptation. But with change comes new possibilities and new ways to grow.”
Prioritize and Be Proactive — From the second you realize that you’re moving, make a note of what needs to get done and when. For one, if you’re in an apartment, you need to give notice to vacate as soon as possible. If you wait too long, most places will charge you a penalty for violating the terms of your lease. Second, if you’re moving to a higher population urban area, apartments go FAST. Get an idea of places in your price range and stay on top of them. Sometimes, the place you really want might not become available for a couple of weeks or so. Other times, you may have to pounce on the best thing available. If you have the luxury of time, see if you can make a quick trip in person to do some hunting so you aren’t signing a lease without seeing anything first. The same goes for the moving services. The sooner you lock things down, the more headaches and money you will save yourself from trying to do it at the last second.
Katie Prchlik, Utah State University Marketing Assistant, created this blanket from shirts she accrued as a student at Michigan.
Take Stock of Your Stuff — Use moving as an opportunity to think about what you can live without. For instance, you don’t need every program, stat sheet, and t-shirt you’ve collected from working events. Some of these things can be thrown away, given to charity, or turned into a craft project. It’s great to embrace positive memories, but be sure to make room for some new ones and lighten your load in the process. You might also consider selling some of the things you no longer want or have room for to make some extra cash. From personal experience, I’ve used Craigslist successfully in the past, but OfferUp and Letgo are also good options that offer a little more personal touch and security.
During your travels, snap some pictures to remember the trip.
Use the Buddy System — It is possible to handle all the tasks of moving single handedly… but why would you want to? See who would help you handle some of the heavier tasks like loading and unloading your car or a UHaul, packing, or driving to your destination. This takes some of the stress of the process away and can erase the physical and mental toll it can take.
Enjoy the Trip — When you’re all packed and ready to go, don’t forget to smell the roses on the way to your new home. Find some fun stops to make along the way like national parks or famous restaurants. Make a great road trip mix (FOS can help with that). Use the time to see parts of this country you might never have a chance to explore otherwise.
Change is never easy to handle. Change forces action and adaptation. But with change comes new possibilities and new ways to grow.
Let the process of moving become one of those opportunities.
