3 Things I did that Helped me Succeed at Work and in Life
Working in the NBA
Working in basketball consists of long hours, often indoors. So my first key to success, something I wish I’d learned much earlier…
1. Sunlight & Walking Outside
I spent my first 5 years with the Trail Blazers as a Video Coordinator in a little box of a room watching game film with two tiny windows up above. I was a little scared to go outside or be perceived as ‘not working’ so I just stayed in there.
Once I settled in, was more confident in myself and my work, I did something I should have always done, I went outside. It’s not healthy to be in a box all day, my Vitamin D levels could tell you that (I tested as severely deficient). I started breaking up my day by watching / breaking down a game and then taking a walk outside. If I had any scouting calls to make, those would always be done outside. Anything I could do outside, that’s where I would go. Steps and sunshine.
2. Building Communities Outside of Work
It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the work. It’s fun work. It’s basketball. And it’s easy to just stay at the gym all day. But something I found to be invaluable was creating communities outside of the workplace. For me, those were faith communities, non-profit communities, and groups that often spurred from those.
And the thing is… when that professional basketball thing ended for me, those communities were still there. It’s important to have things outside of basketball to keep you grounded in the good times and be a support to you in the not so good times.
3. 3rd Space
It’s commonly said that we need a 3rd space. Something outside of our work and home. It was early on in my NBA career where I realized I spent about 16 hours a day at the office and 8 at home. I had nothing else. I didn’t know how to find anything else, where to go… and so I just stayed at the office until I went home. It was easy. Even when the work was done, I could go shoot hoops, get in the hot tub, and just waste time until I’d go home. Eventually, I knew I needed another space, so after work, even if it was midnight, I would go to this 24-hour coffee shop and sit and read. It became one of my favorite parts of the week.
And then I started breaking up my day, I’d work from 8-4 and then head over to a coffee shop and come back to the office from 6-11. Simply creating a 3rd space was a game changer for my overall and mental health.
Next week, I’ll share with you 3 Things I Wish I had done in Work and in Life.