Dear Younger Me: Chill Out

You have the knowledge, work ethic, and drive to be successful, now just go out and do it.

This post is part of the #YPSportsChat Blog Series! This series will give young professionals an inside look at the intricacies of the sports business world and advice on how to navigate it.

Dear Dave,

Chill out. Seriously. You have the knowledge, work ethic, and drive to be successful, now just go out and do it. I know you’re set to graduate from Ithaca College next May, but just keep doing what you’re doing and everything will turn out okay.

You’re too concerned about having your entire future planned. Working in the world of sports media is all you wanted to do since high school, and there’s nothing that’ll stop you, so stop worrying about it for crying out loud.

Here’s what you don’t need to know you 21-year-old stallion:

1) Where you’re going to work and for how long

2) When the economy is going to swing the other way

3) If there will even be jobs available for you

4) How you’ll handle every possible scenario thrown at you

5) An answer to every single question

It can get a bit overwhelming if you listen too closely about the kind of life everyone else wants you to live, or how they think you want to live. While it is important to heed advice from trusted family, friends, and mentors, at the end of the day you are responsible for your own happiness.

The sooner you understand that the sooner you’ll find what you’re looking for. When there’s a job offer on the table, consult the circle, but do what is right for YOU.

My suggestion is to sleep on it, and see what your first thought is when you wake up tomorrow morning. Are you excited, or do you have a knot in your stomach that something isn’t quite right? Go with your gut. Even if it doesn’t end up working out, at least you’ll be able to look yourself in the mirror.

You notice something? I don’t have any technical advice for you, like what thingy-magingy goes to which whatzahoozit, but instead to set you up with the right mental state. You can acknowledge your shortcomings without ceding defeat. If you’re unsure about something, you already have the foundation to find the answer — just trust yourself.

The last thing is to keep your options open. Sure, it’d be great to head up the media relations department at the Boston Red Sox next year, but ummmmmm that’s unlikely.

Life is a funny thing, so go where the opportunities are and see what happens. Who knows, you might end up moving to Kentucky to work in volleyball (don’t discount it).

Ok I lied, I more thing. Social media’s gonna get pretty big soon.

Sincerely,

@DavidAPortney

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