In the high-stakes world of sports, we often focus on the recovery of athletes—tracking their rest days, managing injury protocols, and promoting balanced training schedules. But what about us—the communicators, storytellers, and strategists working behind the scenes?
Athletic communications professionals are constantly juggling game-day responsibilities, content creation, media relations, social media, crisis management, and more—often with little downtime and irregular hours. In this non-stop cycle, rest can feel like a luxury. But in reality, it’s a professional imperative.
Behind the Scenes, But Always “On”
Whether it’s crafting narratives during a championship run or managing live updates late into the night, athletic communicators are among the first to arrive and the last to leave. This “always on” mindset may feel necessary, but over time, it takes a toll—on creativity, clarity, and overall well-being.
Just like the athletes we cover, we need structured recovery to perform at a high level consistently. Fatigue clouds judgment, hinders responsiveness, and leads to burnout—a very real issue in the communications and sports industries.
Why Rest Fuels Better Work
Rest isn’t just about sleep (though quality sleep is non-negotiable). It’s about creating intentional recovery moments: stepping away from the screen, disconnecting from social media, spending time outdoors, or simply taking a deep breath between the madness of back-to-back seasons.
These small pauses fuel:
- Sharper storytelling
- Stronger strategic thinking
- Better crisis response
- Improved interpersonal communication
- Sustainable career longevity
Rest as a Leadership Example
As professionals who influence the tone and culture of an athletics department, your behavior sets the tone for others. Modeling healthy boundaries, respecting off-hours, and openly prioritizing wellness can help shift the culture away from glorifying burnout—and toward promoting sustainable excellence.
Work Smarter, Recover Smarter
In athletics, we often say, “Recovery is where the gains happen.” The same applies to your career. Prioritize rest like you would a press conference: schedule it, protect it, and treat it as essential—not optional.
Final Thought:
You’re not just covering high performers—you are one. Respect your limits, honor your need for recovery, and remember: a well-rested communicator tells a better story.
No comments:
Post a Comment