January 1, 2019

The Pro Player Timeline: January

Working from The Pro Player Timeline: Overview, this individual month post focuses on what a professional player overseas - or an aspiring pro player - should be outlining each specific month of the year like.

SEE ALSO:

Navigating Sports Abroad blog post.

Play Abroad 101 for the most accurate preparation in print.

The Pro Player Timeline: Daily 

The Pro Player Timeline: Overview.


Most players looking to play professionally overseas don't really have any idea how to do it! This is not your fault; unless you know someone who has done it or have incredible connections already in the pro world of your sport - you try searching Google and barely anything comes up. A few agencies, some club team pages, maybe an incomplete Wikipedia page about a league or two.

Pro sports are cyclical. What might be a frenzy of hiring in August right before the season starts can occur again in January at mid-season transfer periods. Players coming out of university eligibility are ready to go pro at different times, depending on graduating in December or May.


How you handle the months of your year will vary depending on if you are already signed and with your team or not signed with anyone yet. The first section of this post will deal with "When you are signed," and the second section of this post will give advice for what to do "When you are not signed yet."

JANUARY - RENEW & RESTORE


It's the start of a new year! Whether you are coming back to your team after the Christmas holiday or joining a team midseason, you can use this idea of "newness" to refresh your body and spirit to be strong for the next few months of the season. Renew your commitment to your sport, your team, and your goals. Restore your soul with people, places, and things that encourage and inspire you on a daily basis. Let January be the start of a new year and a fresh perspective. Remember who you were at the start of last year: think about what you have learned, how you have grown, and where you are still aiming to be - and appreciate this!

January, along with December, are busy months because of a many players and clubs making changes. Players can be fired at this midseason point, which also means players can be hired during this time, too. Be mentally prepared for whatever may happen to you or your team over the winter break!

More inspiration here >>> Live Well 2019: January


Every month of your year can be outlined with a theme, enhanced with motivational reminders, and structured in a way that your day-to-day activities promote your short and long term growth and well-being.


When you are signed...

Integrate your New Year's Resolutions into your Goals & Vision.
Start thinking about whether you will want to return or not for the next season to this specific team, league, or country, and organize your thoughts for why or why not, what the conditions should be, and so on.
Communicate with your representation these thoughts before talking to anyone at your club, and ideally, you representation will take care of these issues for you.
Discover two more new places or experiences in your country, one on your own and another one shared with someone else.
Share these moments on your social media platforms to show your interest in the local culture.

When you are not signed yet...

Do your research as best as you can.
(Here's a good place to start: bit.ly/PlayProInfo)
Contact current and previous pro players.
Contact agents and agencies to find the best fit for your goals.
Learn about different leagues, levels, and countries.
Read Navigating Sports Abroad blog post.
Read Play Abroad 101 for the most accurate preparation in print.
Create your pro sport brand social media platforms, while also tightening up your social media image from the past (any inappropriate/upsetting/unnecessary comments, photos, videos, etc.).
Dedicate a Google Drive folder to your documents, photos, and videos, so you can easily attach and link your information to teams.
Build your CV (player resumé) to show your basic data, playing history, accomplishments, and video.
Make sure you are working out and practicing your sport at the highest level possible on a regular basis AND getting video proof by recording and uploading the full session or highlights.

If you looking to join a team immediately, please see this post for resources.


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 The Pro Player Timeline