Many young athletes abandon their sports careers because they struggle to balance their athletic and academic (university) commitments. Even for those who successfully complete their education while competing, later integrating a professional and sports career can seem almost impossible. However, abroad, many athletes face and successfully manage the challenges of a dual career.
Dual career
It implies simultaneously building a sports career and developing through education or work. Balancing obligations like this is not simple and requires great support and good organization, but it is not impossible. How to ensure it?
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Be transparent
If you are not already attending a sports program in school, it is important to talk to your homeroom teacher and the professional staff, or your department head, and explain all of your obligations. If you have a competition and preparation schedule in advance, it would be good to show it. It is possible that the educational institution will not accommodate you, but they just might. If you have a job, talk to your superiors, explain your sports obligations to them, and arrange the working conditions in advance. If your superiors have no understanding of a sports career, that is something you need to know beforehand.
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Ask for help if you need it
Some things we cannot do alone. That is not a defeat, but a reality. Duties, tasks, and obligations become easier with good, quality support. Do not be ashamed to ask for help if needed. Ask professors for additional clarification, colleagues for notes and explanations if you missed something, friends for a conversation, and family for help with food preparation, packing equipment, or just for emotional support. A good support system makes miracles possible.
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Make a schedule
Even though a schedule might not be cool, it helps a lot. When obligations are written down and distributed, it becomes clearer what can be achieved and within what timeframe. By writing things down, we open up mental space for other things because the brain is not so burdened with having to remember and “keep everything in mind.” Also, when you write down all your tasks, it will become clearer to you what you can manage and what is too much to expect of yourself.
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Track how well you stuck to the schedule
Just making a schedule is not enough. We also have to stick to it. At the end of each day/week, set aside a little time and mark what you have accomplished, and for which things there was no time. This will enable you to make a better schedule in the future and resolve obligations more efficiently. Additionally, you might realize that some of your time is slipping through your fingers when you could be using it better (e.g., become aware of your screen time on social media).
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Take care of yourself
Naturally, look after yourself and your mental health. Good nutrition, quality sleep, and enough rest are a necessary prerequisite for a successful dual career. If you notice that you are consistently sacrificing your sleep and rest, something has to change. Balance is the key to everything.
Examples from the neighborhood
Many examples from our surroundings prove that a dual career is not impossible. For instance, our Franka Vidović is successfully building a squash career and studying at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. And Ante Budimir is studying economics alongside his sports career. Many other athletes successfully study or develop business organizations and build their brands parallel to their sports careers. Our Dora works for us and is also a national team rower. Although it might seem at first glance that there are few such athletes, they are actually everywhere.
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To reiterate, a dual career is full of challenges, but with quality organization, support, and determination, you can be successful both in sports and outside of them. It might not be easy, but every small step forward means you are closer to your goal – both on and off the field, and that will give you additional strength to keep going.