Letting Go

I read numerous articles this week about retired NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, and his return to the NFL after a 40-day retirement. This struck a chord with me. While Brady can certainly do what he'd like, his grand announcement of retirement a few weeks back after 22 grueling NFL seasons drew attention throughout the whole sports community.

While I totally believe every professional athletes should play as long as they can for as much money as they can, the question arises.....when should they let go?

Play as long as you can! Whatever that takes; knowing the right person, extra long/hard workouts, crafty negotiating on your agent's part, whatever...Play, Play, Play. But at some point Tom Brady (and every professional athlete) must come to grips with the fact that 100% of professional athletes ultimately experience job termination.

This is an undeniable truth.

This truth leads me to the million dollar question....when is the right time to let go?

This question doesn't simply apply to Tom Brady nor the hundreds of other professional athletes who depart from the game every year, but to all of us.

In my opinion, letting go is the most difficult part of a professional athlete's transition from sports, but also a challenge for others. Companies, big and small, struggle with letting go in order to move forward with the constant change that is happening all around us.

The good news is, I've discovered a commonality of success when navigating change (5 R.U.L.E.S.) and the "L" in my process represents LET GO. Letting go is an integral part of successfully navigating change. For athletes, the letting go is clear......you're not a professional athlete anymore. For companies, letting go may require more clarity.

'What do we need to let go in order to move forward, especially while changing?'

There is little doubt in my mind that Tom Brady will find some semblance of success again upon his return to pro football, but at some point he will need to Let Go.

Brady aside, what do you or your company need to let go of in order to move forward, especially during change?

Clarify that answer and you're one step closer to Facing Change Like a Champion.

You can find out more about me, my 5 R.U.L.E.S. and my change management services at: www.KurtDavid.com