Mullet Musings #3 - Long Term Uncertainty

This is the last post in my series on mental health and wellness. My hope in writing these articles was to share experiences and thoughts that might be useful for others in their day-to-day lives or to share with someone who might benefit.

While I already understood the importance of keeping this topic at the forefront, this belief was reinforced over the past three weeks as many people reached out, connected, and shared how they related to the feelings discussed.

I am encouraged by the idea that sharing can help break down barriers to support for those struggling with mental health and wellness. Conversely, people with strong wellbeing, who are confident, happy, and free from doubt, can lead and openly discuss a topic that impacts so many.

Thanks for reading, and if possible, please support our campaign - Mullets for Mental Health.

Athletes and entrepreneurs share many similarities, but one thing is certain: the future is often murky.

In sports, the hardest point in an athlete's life is when they stop doing the sport they love. A career in sports usually ends by the mid-thirties or earlier. The long-term roadmap is rarely well-defined, and often a significant part of one's identity is attached to the sport and performance. Additionally, many athletes have their careers ended for them rather than choosing the moment themselves.

In business, entrepreneurs face uncertainty at every turn. While the idea of a blank canvas is romanticized by many, it can be the most daunting thing any entrepreneur encounters. The added element of people's livelihoods being linked to a business can create pressure greater than that faced by athletes in high-performance environments.

Pursuing a career in sports or launching a business requires a level of mental fortitude often developed over years of putting oneself "in the arena" and testing the results. While unbelievably rewarding, both pathways can be fleeting, daunting, or downright terrifying. This, in my opinion, is due to the uncertainty around what comes next. "Next" could be as far down the line as retirement or as close as tomorrow. Regardless, in my experience, both sports and business uncertainty can be overcome with strategies and mindsets that apply to either career.

To overcome long-term uncertainty, three strategies stand out to me as particularly useful:

1. Roadmapping as a skill
2. Celebrating wins
3. Personal wellness and mindfulness

The one strategy I believe has the most power to support strong mental health and wellbeing: Roadmapping.

"What's the best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time." – Desmond Tutu

Roadmapping involves taking your pen (or computer) and writing down all the steps needed to achieve specific goals. This isn't just about the goals themselves but also about the process for achieving them. Simply moving these plans onto a page can add clarity to any murky situation. In my experience, this has been the most powerful tool in my life and has helped me build the mental fortitude I rely on daily.

When I started playing rugby, I always wrote down my goals and the pathways to achieve them. Each milestone was a clear way to define my career. However, building a roadmap for the end of my rugby career (transitioning to business) wasn't something I was very purposeful with. I had a few notional plans and pursued them vigorously. In hindsight, I believe I would have achieved results more quickly if I had spent more time in the last couple of years writing down what I hoped to accomplish. This would have given me more purpose early on, greater contentment, and a clearer path to success—resulting in better wellness.

It wasn't until my business partner suggested in 2012 that I get a coach to help me grow. I started working with a wonderful gentleman named Walt Stevenson (who has since passed). Walt helped me articulate on paper what was going on in my brain. He coached me on the power of getting thoughts on paper and revisiting them regularly. Holding myself accountable to the actions and strategies I wrote down gave me great comfort with future uncertainty. We broke down long-term objectives into daily actions and executed the strategies needed to achieve them.

Writing this down is easy, but in practice, it is hard to do. It takes courage, deep thinking, and multiple iterations before becoming comfortable with roadmapping. But I promise that those who start now will be better equipped to address the anxiety that comes with the fear of the unknown future.

Celebrating Wins (and Losses)

Equally important is the practice of celebrating your wins and learning from your losses. Taking the time to acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small, helps build momentum and reinforces positive behaviors. Conversely, reflecting on your losses can provide valuable insights and lessons. Create a habit of regularly reviewing your progress, celebrating milestones, and analyzing setbacks. This practice not only boosts morale but also keeps you grounded and focused on continuous improvement.

Personal Wellness and Mindfulness

Looking after your mind and body from a physical standpoint is crucial. Incorporating regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, and ensuring adequate sleep can significantly impact your mental clarity and energy levels. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present, reduce stress, and improve overall mental wellbeing. Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, journaling, or simply taking a few minutes each day to reflect, can enhance your ability to handle uncertainty and make more informed decisions.

In closing, I want to emphasize that these three elements—roadmapping, celebrating wins (and losses), and personal wellness—are interconnected and reinforce each other. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can build a strong foundation to navigate the uncertainties of both sports and business with confidence and resilience.

Thank you again for reading, and I wish everyone the best.

Ryan