Lead Yourself First: The Daily Discipline That Separates Professionals (May 4, 2026)

“Focus on your actions, your mindset, your intentions, your decisions. Lead yourself first.” – Kevin DeShazo

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In the spring of 2012, I was introduced to Kevin DeShazo after hearing him speak about social media and its evolving impact on athletic departments. That initial exposure turned into a lasting professional influence. Later in my career, I had the opportunity to bring him in to speak to student-athletes and coaches at LeTourneau University—an experience that reinforced the clarity and practicality of his message.

Over time, his work—especially Keep Chopping Wood—has become a steady, quiet driver in how I approach my daily responsibilities. The quote above, in particular, has stayed with me. It’s simple, but it’s demanding. And as we begin May—Mental Health Awareness Month—it felt like the right time to reflect not only on professional growth, but also on personal accountability and mental health.

Because the truth is, those four elements—actions, mindset, intentions, and decisions—don’t just shape careers. They shape stability, resilience, and well-being.

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Lead Yourself First: The Competitive Advantage No One Can Take

In sports communications, it’s easy to misdiagnose success. The industry often makes it seem like outcomes are driven by external variables—access, relationships, institutional resources, or market size.

But strip all of that away, and what actually determines long-term trajectory is far more controllable:

Your actions. Your mindset. Your intentions. Your decisions.

That’s not just philosophy—it’s operational reality.

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Control What Compounds

Your day is built on micro-decisions:

• How you respond to an email

• How quickly (and accurately) you turn around a recap

• How prepared you are for a postgame interview

• How intentional your digital and social strategy is

Individually, these moments feel insignificant. Collectively, they define your reputation.

Consistency—especially when no one is watching—is what compounds into trust and credibility. If you’re waiting for a bigger role to raise your standard, you’re already behind. The professionals who separate themselves operate at the next level before they’re given it.

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Your Mindset Sets the Ceiling

This profession will test your capacity—mentally and emotionally.

• Long hours

• Constant deadlines

• Public visibility and scrutiny

• Internal expectations

If your mindset is reactive, the job will always feel overwhelming. If it’s proactive, you create structure within the chaos.

A strong mindset doesn’t ignore difficulty—it reframes it:

• A tough loss becomes a storytelling opportunity

• A mistake becomes a systems improvement

• A heavy workload becomes a chance to build efficiency

And from a mental health standpoint, that shift matters. Perspective is often the difference between burnout and growth.

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Intentions Drive Identity

Execution matters—but intention defines consistency.

You have to ask:
Are you chasing visibility, or are you building value?

Intentional professionals anchor their work to standards:

• Accuracy before speed (until you can consistently do both)

• Clarity over volume

• Impact over recognition

When your intentions are aligned, your output stabilizes. And in a field built on trust, consistency becomes your most valuable asset.

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Decisions Define Direction

Careers aren’t shaped by one breakthrough moment. They’re shaped by accumulated decisions:

• Preparation over procrastination

• Accountability over excuses

• Long-term growth over short-term comfort

These decisions are rarely visible to others—but they’re always consequential.

And importantly, no one is managing them for you.

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Lead Yourself First

Before you lead a brand, a team, or a department—you have to lead yourself.

That requires:

• Holding your standards, even when no one else enforces them

• Managing your time with intention

• Taking ownership without waiting for direction

• Showing up consistently, regardless of circumstances

Leadership in sports communications isn’t positional—it’s behavioral.

And those who establish that discipline early don’t wait for opportunity. They create it.

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A Final Thought for May

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, this message carries an added layer of importance.

Leading yourself isn’t just about productivity—it’s about sustainability.

Your mindset, your habits, and your internal standards directly impact your mental health. Structure creates clarity. Clarity reduces stress. And intentional action builds confidence.

So if you’re looking for an edge—professionally or personally—don’t overcomplicate it:

• Focus on your actions

• Refine your mindset

• Clarify your intentions

• Own your decisions

Everything else builds from there.

Lead yourself first—and the rest will follow.

Release the outcome. Keep the boundary. (May 2, 2026)

Burnout isn’t a result of caring too much. It’s what happens when care turns into control—when you start gripping outcomes that were never yours to hold, while quietly stepping past the limits that protect your energy.

There’s a difference between full effort and overreach.

Effort is participation. Control is attachment.

You’re responsible for how you show up—your clarity, your consistency, your willingness to engage. But the result? That lives outside your jurisdiction.

Boundaries aren’t restrictions on your effectiveness. They’re what make sustained effectiveness possible. Without them, even meaningful work becomes depletion.

So the practice is simple, but not always easy:

Show up fully.
Release the result.
Hold the line where your energy needs protection.

Do that consistently, and you don’t just avoid burnout—you build something you can actually keep showing up for.

AI Isn’t Taking Jobs—It’s Eliminating the Starting Line (April 30, 2026)

The pathway into sports communications is no longer linear, and those who adapt early—by building skills, portfolios, and AI fluency—will bypass the traditional entry-level bottleneck entirely. 

Agentic AI systems that can execute tasks independently—isn’t triggering mass layoffs yet. Instead, it’s quietly reshaping the labor market by eliminating or compressing entry-level roles.

• The real disruption: fewer “first-step” jobs, not fewer jobs overall
• Companies are skipping junior hires and using AI + experienced staff instead
• Result: a broken career ladder—harder to get experience, harder to advance

This is a structural shift, not a temporary cycle.

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What this means ...

1. The traditional “pay your dues” model is disappearing

Aspiring SIDs, communications assistants, and GA-level talent—have historically relied on:

• internships
• entry-level media relations roles
• game-day support positions

Those are exactly the types of task-driven, repeatable roles AI can now absorb (writing recaps, stat summaries, social captions, etc.).

👉 Translation:
Waiting your turn is no longer a viable strategy.

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2. Skill expectations are being pulled forward

Employers now expect entry-level candidates to operate like mid-level contributors.

In your world, that means:

• Not just writing releases—but strategic storytelling
• Not just posting graphics—but owning engagement + analytics
• Not just assisting—but running a sport or platform independently

👉 The bar isn’t higher—it’s earlier.

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3. Experience is no longer granted—it must be created

Because fewer formal entry points exist, candidates must:

• Build portfolios independently
• Create your own reps (blogs, social coverage, freelance work)
• Use AI as a force multiplier, not a shortcut

This aligns directly with your platform’s philosophy.

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4. AI is both the threat and the leverage

The same tools reducing entry-level roles can:

• Help one person do the work of three
• Allow students to simulate real-world workloads
• Enable faster skill development

👉 The differentiator becomes:
Who can direct AI effectively—not who competes against it

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Reminders:

• Don’t chase job titles—build capability
• Don’t wait for opportunity—manufacture it
• Don’t fear AI—learn to operationalize it

The Real Game Behind the Game: Protecting Your Time and Energy (April 29, 2026)

Your Two Most Valuable Resources: Time and Energy

We talk a lot about opportunity in athletics communications—better jobs, bigger platforms, more visibility. But underneath all of that, there are two assets that quietly determine whether any of it actually materializes:

Your time and your energy.

They are finite. They are non-renewable in the short term. And most importantly, they are constantly being spent—whether you’re intentional about it or not.

The Misconception: Time Is the Constraint

Most professionals in our space will tell you they don’t have enough time. The schedule is relentless—game coverage, travel, social, writing, stats, relationships, crises. It’s a valid concern.

But time is only half the equation.

You can have a perfectly organized calendar and still feel stuck, burned out, or unproductive. That’s because energy—not time—is often the real bottleneck.

Energy determines:

• The quality of your work

• Your creativity in storytelling

• Your ability to connect with coaches, student-athletes, and media

• Your resilience during long seasons

If your energy is depleted, more time doesn’t solve the problem. It just extends the struggle.

Where We Lose Both

In athletic communications, the leaks are subtle but constant:

• Reactive work cycles – Living in inboxes, texts, and last-minute requests instead of proactive planning

• Low-value repetition – Rewriting the same type of release without evolving your process

• Unclear priorities – Treating everything as urgent, which makes nothing meaningful

• Digital overload – Endless scrolling disguised as “keeping up with trends”

Each of these quietly drains both time and energy without producing meaningful progress.

The Shift: From Spending to Investing

Most people spend their time and energy. Very few invest it.

Spending looks like:

• Completing tasks just to get through the day

• Saying yes to everything to avoid friction

• Operating without a clear outcome in mind

Investing looks like:

• Prioritizing work that compounds (relationships, systems, storytelling quality)

• Building processes that reduce future workload

• Protecting mental bandwidth for high-impact moments

In this field, investing your resources might mean:

• Creating templates that elevate your writing efficiency

• Developing stronger media relationships that amplify your programs

• Allocating focused time to long-form storytelling instead of just transactional recaps

Energy Management Is a Skill

Energy isn’t just about sleep or caffeine—it’s about alignment.

Ask yourself:

• When during the day am I most focused?

• What type of work drains me vs. energizes me?

• Where am I overcommitting out of habit rather than necessity?

High performers in this space don’t just manage deadlines—they manage when and how they show up to those deadlines.

Boundaries Are Not a Luxury

In a profession that often demands availability, boundaries can feel unrealistic. But without them, your time and energy will always be dictated by external demands.

Boundaries might look like:

• Blocking uninterrupted work time for writing or creative tasks

• Setting expectations on response times when possible

• Being selective about additional responsibilities that don’t align with your goals

This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters better.

The Long-Term Impact

Careers in athletic communications are not built in single seasons—they’re built over years of consistent output, growth, and reputation.

If you constantly deplete your time and energy without replenishment or direction, burnout isn’t a possibility—it’s a certainty.

But if you:

• Protect your energy

• Direct your time intentionally

• Invest in work that compounds

You create sustainability. And sustainability is what allows you to stay in the game long enough to actually grow.

Final Thought

You don’t control every demand placed on you in this profession. But you do control how you allocate your two most valuable resources.

Time is what you have.
Energy is how you use it.

Manage both with intention, and everything else—your output, your opportunities, your trajectory—starts to align.

Expand the Dream: Why “More” Is a Discipline, Not a Desire (April 28, 2026)

In the spring of 2006, I was in a transition period—working as a Media Relations Coordinator in Miami while approaching two defining milestones: induction into the Columbus State Community College Sport and Exercise Studies Hall of Fame and the opportunity to step into a Sports Information Director role at Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M). Those moments didn’t happen by accident—they were the result of preparation meeting expectation.

Around that same time, I came across a quote from Robin Sharma that reinforced a principle I was actively learning: growth isn’t about wishing for more—it’s about building the capacity to handle more. That idea still holds, and it’s the foundation for everything that follows.

“Push yourself to do more and to experience more. Harness your energy to start expanding your dreams. Yes, expand your dreams. Don’t accept a life of mediocrity when you hold such infinite potential within the fortress of your mind. Dare to tap into your greatness.” — Robin Sharma

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Expand the Dream: Why “More” Is a Discipline, Not a Desire

There’s a difference between wanting more and training yourself to be capable of more. That’s the tension sitting at the center of Sharma’s quote—and it’s where most people stall out.

“Push yourself” isn’t motivational fluff. It’s a directive. It implies resistance, discomfort, and—if we’re being honest—a level of intentional effort that most people only visit occasionally. But growth doesn’t respond to occasional effort. It compounds through consistent pressure.

If you’re reading this as someone in athletic communications, sports information, or any competitive professional space, you already understand performance environments. The same principles apply off the field.

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Expanding Dreams Requires Expanding Capacity

You don’t rise to your dreams—you fall back on your systems.

Everyone says they want a bigger role, a better job, more influence, more impact. But very few are actively building the operational capacity to sustain those outcomes.

Expanding your dreams means:

• Increasing your tolerance for complexity

• Improving how you communicate results

• Taking ownership beyond your job description

• Operating with urgency, even when no one is watching

In other words, “more” requires infrastructure.

If your current habits can’t support your future goals, the problem isn’t your dream—it’s your preparation.

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Mediocrity Is Comfortable—That’s the Problem

Mediocrity rarely feels like failure in the moment. It feels like:

• “Good enough”

• “I’ll get to it later”

• “That’s not technically my responsibility”

Over time, those decisions compound into stagnation.

The uncomfortable truth: most ceilings aren’t imposed—they’re accepted.

When Sharma talks about “not accepting a life of mediocrity,” he’s not pointing at external limitations. He’s pointing inward—at the quiet negotiations we make with ourselves every day.

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The Fortress of the Mind: Your Competitive Advantage

Your skill set matters. Your experience matters. But neither will outperform a disciplined mindset over time.

The “fortress” Sharma refers to isn’t just potential—it’s control.

Control over:

• Your focus in a distracted environment

• Your standards when no one else is enforcing them

• Your response to setbacks, criticism, and pressure

In competitive fields, the separation isn’t usually talent—it’s mental consistency.

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What This Looks Like in Practice

If you’re serious about “tapping into your greatness,” it has to translate into behavior:

• You follow up when others forget

• You refine your work when others submit it

• You ask better questions when others stay silent

• You create value before you’re asked

That’s how expansion happens—not in theory, but in execution.

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Final Thought

Dreams don’t expand on their own. They respond to pressure, structure, and action.

So the real question isn’t whether you want more.

It’s whether your daily habits prove that you’re preparing for it.

Because greatness isn’t something you discover—it’s something you build, one disciplined decision at a time.

Small Changes Lead to Lasting Breakthroughs (April 27, 2026)

As I recently watched, the 2026 AAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, recently, I was reminded, "Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs." 

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Small Changes Lead to Lasting Breakthroughs

In athletic communications — and in any career built on performance, deadlines, and relationships — it’s easy to believe that progress has to be big to matter.

A new job.
A major promotion.
A high-profile opportunity.

Those are the moments we point to as “breakthroughs.”

But that’s not where they start.

They start much smaller.

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Breakthroughs Are Built, Not Found

Most career progress doesn’t come from one defining moment.

It comes from repeated, intentional adjustments:

• Rewriting a résumé bullet to reflect impact instead of tasks

• Sending a follow-up message when others don’t

• Asking one better question in a conversation

• Taking time to refine your portfolio instead of rushing it

• Preparing one more example before an interview

Individually, these changes feel minor.

Collectively, they compound.

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The Gap Isn’t Talent — It’s Consistency

In the world of athletic communications, there are a lot of talented people.

Strong writers.
Creative thinkers.
Hard workers.

What separates professionals over time isn’t always ability.

It’s consistency in the small things:

• Meeting deadlines

• Communicating clearly

• Following up

• Paying attention to detail

• Improving incrementally

These aren’t flashy skills.

But they’re reliable indicators of long-term success.

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Small Adjustments Create Separation

Consider how hiring decisions are often made.

It’s rarely between a great candidate and a poor one.

It’s between multiple qualified candidates.

In those situations, the difference often comes down to:

• Who followed up thoughtfully

• Who communicated more clearly

• Who showed better preparation

• Who presented their work more effectively

Small edges decide outcomes.

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Apply This to Your Current Stage

Wherever you are in your career, there are small changes you can make right now:

If you’re job searching:

• Customize one more application

• Refine one section of your résumé

• Follow up on one conversation

If you’re early in your career:

• Ask for feedback more intentionally

• Document your results

• Take ownership of a small project

If you’re building toward the next step:

• Strengthen one key skill

• Reconnect with someone in your network

• Improve how you communicate your value

None of these actions are dramatic.

All of them are impactful.

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The Compounding Effect

Small changes don’t feel powerful in the moment.

That’s why they’re often ignored.

But over time, they create:

• Better habits

• Stronger relationships

• Clearer communication

• More visible impact

And eventually — opportunities.

What looks like a “breakthrough” from the outside is usually the result of consistent execution behind the scenes.

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Final Thought

If you’re waiting for a big moment to change your career, you may be waiting too long.

Start smaller.

Refine one thing.
Improve one habit.
Follow up one more time.

Then do it again tomorrow.

Because in this field — and in most careers — small changes don’t just matter.

They add up to everything.

Think Long-Term (April 25, 2026)

 Many job seekers make short-term decisions based on immediate frustration.

Strong professionals think differently.

They think in years, not weeks.

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Avoid Short-Term Thinking

Don’t evaluate opportunities solely by:

• Salary
• Title
• Convenience

Consider:

• Skill development
• Growth potential
• Network expansion
• Future positioning

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Build Toward Something

Ask:

• Where do I want to be in 3–5 years?
• What skills will get me there?
• What roles accelerate that path?

Then make decisions accordingly.

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Reputation Compounds

Consistency over time builds:

• Trust
• Credibility
• Opportunity

Your actions today influence opportunities later.

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Progress Is Not Always Immediate

Some roles are stepping stones.

That doesn’t make them setbacks.

Growth often happens before recognition.

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Final Thought

Careers are long.

Think beyond the next job.

Build toward the next version of yourself.

Adapt Quickly (April 24, 2026)

 Careers rarely go exactly as planned.

The ability to adapt is not optional — it’s essential.

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Change Is Constant

Industries shift. Roles evolve. Opportunities appear unexpectedly.

Those who adjust quickly stay relevant.

Those who resist fall behind.

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Adaptation Is a Skill

It includes:

• Learning new tools
• Taking on unfamiliar responsibilities
• Adjusting to feedback
• Navigating new environments

Flexibility increases value.

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Reframe Challenges as Development

Instead of:
“This isn’t what I expected.”

Ask:
“What can I gain from this?”

Every experience adds something.

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Employers Value Agility

Adaptable professionals:

• Solve problems faster
• Require less supervision
• Handle uncertainty better

These are high-demand traits.

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Final Thought

You can’t control change.

You can control how quickly you adjust to it.

Follow Up Consistently (April 23, 2026)

 

This is where most job seekers separate themselves — or disappear.

Follow-up is simple.

That’s why it’s overlooked.

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When to Follow Up

Always follow up after:

• Applications (when appropriate)
• Networking conversations
• Informational interviews
• Job interviews
• Receiving advice or feedback

Every interaction is an opportunity to reinforce connection.

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Keep It Simple and Specific

A strong follow-up includes:

• Appreciation
• A reference to the interaction
• Continued interest

Example:
“Thank you for your time today. I appreciated your insight on ___ and look forward to staying in touch.”

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Follow-Up Builds Familiarity

People remember those who stay present.

Silence leads to being forgotten.

Consistency builds recognition.

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It Reflects Professional Behavior

If you follow up during a job search, employers assume you will:

• Communicate effectively
• Manage relationships
• Stay organized

It signals readiness.

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Final Thought

Most people don’t follow up.

That’s why it works.

Build Relationships Intentionally (April 22, 2026)

 Networking is often misunderstood.

It’s not about collecting contacts.

It’s about building professional relationships with purpose.

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Be Selective, Not Random

Focus on people who:

• Work in roles you want
• Operate in industries you’re targeting
• Have experience you can learn from

Intentional outreach leads to meaningful conversations.

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Lead With Curiosity

Don’t open with requests.

Start with questions:

• How did you get into your role?
• What skills matter most in your position?
• What would you do differently starting out?

Curiosity builds connection.

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Relationships Are Built Over Time

One conversation is not networking.

Consistency is.

Stay in touch through:

• Occasional check-ins
• Sharing relevant content
• Congratulating milestones

Small touches matter.

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Give Value Where You Can

Even early in your career, you can:

• Share insights
• Offer help
• Connect others

Relationships are not one-sided.

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Final Thought

Opportunities often come through people.

Be someone worth remembering.

Communicate Results (April 21, 2026)

 There’s a difference between doing work and demonstrating impact.

Most candidates describe activity.

Few communicate results.

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Activity vs. Impact

Activity:

Managed social media accounts

Impact:

Managed social media accounts, increasing engagement by 30% over three months

The second tells a story.

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Results Answer “So What?”

Every line on your résumé should answer:

“So what happened because of this?”

• Did something improve?
• Did something grow?
• Did something become more efficient?

If the answer isn’t clear, rewrite it.

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Use Metrics When Possible

Numbers provide credibility.

Examples:

• Increased revenue
• Reduced processing time
• Improved engagement
• Expanded reach
• Delivered projects ahead of schedule

Even estimates are better than none.

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Results Apply to Every Field

You don’t need a data-heavy role to show impact.

You can measure:

• Volume
• Speed
• Quality
• Feedback
• Outcomes

Every role produces results.

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Final Thought

Employers hire outcomes, not effort.

Show what changed because you were there.

Clarify Your Value (April 20, 2026)

Most job seekers struggle with one fundamental issue:

They can’t clearly explain what they offer.

Not because they lack ability — but because they haven’t defined it.

If you cannot articulate your value quickly and confidently, employers won’t do it for you.

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Value Is Not Your Job Title

Your value is not:

• Your major
• Your previous job title
• A list of responsibilities

Your value is the intersection of:

• What you do well
• What you enjoy doing
• What organizations actually need

Clarity lives at that intersection.

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Identify Your Core Strengths

Start by asking:

• What tasks do I consistently perform well?
• What do others rely on me for?
• Where have I created results?

Patterns matter more than isolated experiences.

You’re not looking for one perfect answer — you’re identifying themes.

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Define Yourself in One Sentence

You should be able to say:

“I help ___ by ___ so that ___.”

Example:
“I help organizations improve communication by creating clear, engaging content that drives audience engagement.”

That’s positioning.

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Align Everything Around That Value

Once defined, your value should be reflected in:

• Your résumé
• Your LinkedIn profile
• Your portfolio
• Your conversations

Inconsistency creates confusion. Clarity builds confidence.

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Final Thought

If employers have to guess what you bring, they’ll move on.

Define it. Refine it. Repeat it.

Clarity is your competitive advantage.

Follow Up (April 17, 2026)

One of the most common themes I find myself returning to — whether I’m working with interns, talking with students, or reflecting on my own professional journey — is the importance of the follow-up.

It sounds simple. Almost too simple.

But in practice, it’s one of the most underutilized and misunderstood parts of professional development, particularly for job seekers.

In a competitive job market, most candidates focus heavily on the visible parts of the process — building a résumé, preparing for interviews, polishing their LinkedIn presence. All important. All necessary.

But what happens after you hit “send,” finish the interview, or walk out of the room?

For many, that’s where the process stops.

And that’s where opportunities are often lost.

Following up is not about being persistent to the point of annoyance. It’s about being intentional in a way that reflects who you are as a professional. A well-timed, thoughtful follow-up reinforces your interest in the position, shows respect for the process, and demonstrates that you understand how professional communication works beyond a single interaction.

It tells a hiring manager or search committee something very simple but very important: you care.

Early in my career — and even now — I’ve seen situations where candidates separated themselves not because they were overwhelmingly more qualified, but because they stayed engaged. They followed up. They expressed appreciation. They asked thoughtful questions after the fact. They made it easy to remember their name.

And that matters more than people realize.

Silence in a hiring process does not always equal rejection. More often than not, it reflects timelines, internal conversations, and competing priorities that candidates never see. A professional follow-up can serve as a subtle but effective reminder that you are still interested and still invested.

Beyond the job search, the habit of following up becomes even more valuable.

It shows accountability — you close the loop.
It shows initiative — you don’t wait to be prompted.
It shows consistency — you approach communication with purpose.

Whether it’s after a networking conversation, a meeting, a collaboration, or even a simple introduction, the follow-up is where relationships begin to take shape. It’s where trust is reinforced. It’s where you move from being a one-time interaction to someone who is intentional about staying connected.

In many ways, the follow-up is less about the message itself and more about what it represents.

It represents attention to detail.
It represents respect for others’ time and insight.
It represents a level of professionalism that people remember.

There’s also a practical side to this.

A strong follow-up doesn’t need to be long or overly complex. In fact, it shouldn’t be.

Be timely — within 24–48 hours when possible.
Be concise — get to the point without unnecessary filler.
Be specific — reference something meaningful from the interaction.
Be forward-thinking — reinforce interest and, when appropriate, outline next steps.

That’s it.

No gimmicks. No overthinking. Just intentional communication.

If you’re working with students or young professionals, this is one of the simplest habits you can encourage — and one that will pay dividends over time. If you’re currently in the job search process, it’s one of the easiest ways to differentiate yourself in a crowded field.

And if you’re already established in your career, it’s a reminder that the small things — the details that are easy to overlook — are often the ones that leave the biggest impression.

At the end of the day, following up is not just a task to check off a list.

It’s a reflection of your approach to your work, your relationships, and your professional identity.

And more often than not, it’s the difference between being considered… and being remembered.

Reflection on "Don't ask me how much my salary is." (April 14, 2026)

1. The Core Theme: The "Hidden Cost" of the Box Score

The passage above suggests that while people see the final product (the paycheck or the successful event), they don't see the missed milestones. In your field, this is the "game day reality."

• The Resource Angle: I acknowledge that the "hustle" is often romanticized in sports, but as a veteran with 25 years of experience, I can provide a more nuanced perspective. Being a resource means teaching others how to manage these costs before they lead to burnout.

2. Reframing "Providing" vs. "Presence"

The text mentions "choosing responsibility over presence." You can use this to discuss the evolution of a career.

• The Resource Angle: My perspective on this balance has shifted from my first year to now. I am available to help professionals understand that "providing" isn't just about the financial or the technical output—it’s about building a career that eventually allows for more presence, not less.

3. Integrating my GetSET2Connect Model

Here is a possible solution:

• Strategic: How can we as professionals be strategic with their time so that when they are home, they are fully present?

• Engaged: How can we as professionals stay engaged with our families and personal lives even during the "busy season" (e.g., through a screen, but with intentionality)?

• Teamwork: Emphasize that a strong professional team allows for better personal balance. A leader who acts as a resource ensures their staff doesn't have to "miss every gathering" to be successful.

4. Takeaways 

Here is some actionable advice:

• Communication with Family: Just as we communicate stats and stories for our teams, we must over-communicate our schedules and "why" to our families.

• Quality over Quantity: If the "seat stays empty" at the celebration, how do we make the moments we are in that seat more impactful?

• Defining Success Beyond the Number: Define "success" by the health of their relationships, not just the title or the paycheck.

If You Feel Stuck, You’re in the Right Place (April 13, 2026)

As I sit here on a Monday, just one month after turning 50, I find myself reflecting again on the story I began sharing leading up to that milestone. I waited a bit before putting these thoughts together for my blog, giving myself time to process. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the current state of athletic communications, as well as the realities facing those approaching graduation, finishing internships or graduate assistantships, and navigating the broader job search.

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If You Feel Stuck, You’re in the Right Place

Most people don’t end up here because everything is going perfectly.

They end up here because something feels off.

Maybe you’re:

• Applying for jobs and not getting responses

• Working hard but not moving forward

• Unsure what your next step is supposed to be

• Or simply tired of feeling like you’re doing everything “right” with nothing to show for it

If that’s you—this space is for you.

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What This Blog Is (And What It Isn’t)

This isn’t a place for empty motivation or generic advice.

You won’t find:

• “Just follow your passion”

• “Everything happens for a reason”

• Or surface-level career tips that sound good but don’t actually help

What you will find here:

• Clear ways to think about where you are

• Honest conversations about what keeps people stuck

• Practical frameworks you can actually use

• And perspective that helps you move forward—not just feel better temporarily

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What I Focus On

Everything here centers around one idea:

Helping you move from stuck → clear → intentional

That shows up in a few key ways:

• Breaking down why effort isn’t always translating into results

• Identifying where you’re relying on “workarounds” instead of real progress

• Helping you build direction when you don’t have it yet

• Giving you tools to approach your job search and career with purpose

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Where to Start

If you’re new, start here:

• The Survivability of Glitch Building
  → Understanding how we adapt to systems—and where that can hold us back

• Ask: Is This Helping You Grow—Or Keeping You Stuck?
  → A simple question that exposes what’s really moving you forward

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A Quick Reality Check

You don’t need more information.

You need:

• Better clarity

• More intentional action

• And the willingness to confront what isn’t working

That’s what this space is built to help you do.

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Stay Connected

If something here resonates with you, don’t just move on.

• Reach out

• Share what you’re working through

• Or connect with me on LinkedIn

Because this isn’t just about content—it’s about helping people move forward.

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Start With This

Before you leave this page, ask yourself one question:

Where in my life am I busy—but not actually moving forward?

Sit with that.

Then go find your next step.

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Inspired by Solace in Solitude (April 12, 2026)

​The impact we have on others is rarely found in our loudest moments or our biggest professional wins. Instead, it is often built in the quiet, consistent ways we carry ourselves through the difficult seasons—the moments when we think no one is watching.

The following reflection serves as a reminder that your perseverance has a ripple effect far beyond your own life:

Your Faith Might Be the Reason Someone Else Finds Theirs

You may not even realize it, but the way you keep moving forward even after setbacks... the way you still show up with hope after a disappointment... the way you remain steady when everything feels uncertain, someone is watching. Not to judge you, but to find the strength to survive because of you.

Your quiet persistence, your decision to forgive, and your choice to believe when it would be easier to give up, all become proof to those around you that resilience is still possible.

Sometimes we think our battles are private and our struggles go unnoticed. But consistency speaks louder than we know. When you choose integrity over bitterness, peace over panic, and surrender over control, it plants seeds in hearts that are struggling. Your life becomes a living testimony that hope is real, present, and still working.

So, don’t underestimate your walk. Even on the days when your confidence feels small, or when you’re just holding on by a thread, that thread might be leading someone else back to their own path.

Keep going. Your journey might just be the miracle someone else has been looking for.

Where I’ve Been—and Where This Is Going (April 11, 2026)

It’s a fair question—and one I’ve asked myself more than a few times lately: why haven’t I been posting?

The honest answer is simple—life has been busy. Not just in one lane, but across the board. Professionally, the pace hasn’t slowed. The day-to-day responsibilities, the in-season demands, the constant need to be present and produce—it all adds up quickly. Personally, life doesn’t pause either. Time gets pulled in different directions, priorities shift, and before you know it, something you value—like writing—gets pushed to the side.

That’s not an excuse, but it is the reality.

Writing this blog has always been intentional for me. It’s not just about putting words on a page—it’s about sharing perspective, offering something useful, and hopefully helping someone else navigate their own path. And in seasons where time feels limited, that kind of intentional work can be the hardest to maintain.

But here’s the part that matters: I’m planning to be more consistent moving forward.

Because the more I’ve thought about it, the more I recognize there’s an audience out there—people at different stages of their journey—who are looking for direction, clarity, or even just reassurance that they’re on the right track. I’ve been in those spots before, and I know how valuable it can be to find something—anything—that helps you take the next step.

If that’s where you are right now, I want this blog to be part of that process for you.

Not just as a resource, but as a connection point. A place where experiences are shared honestly, where lessons—both successes and mistakes—are laid out, and where you can find something that resonates with where you are and where you’re trying to go.

So while there may have been a pause, this isn’t the end of the conversation. It’s a reset—and a commitment to show up with more purpose and consistency going forward.

The 30-Second Value Pitch — Communicating Your Brand in a Crowded Room (April 7, 2026)

Too often, introductions in our field sound like this:

“I’m an SID at [school], I handle a little bit of everything.”

That’s accurate—but it’s not memorable.

I’ve learned to frame my introduction around impact instead of responsibility. Not just what I do, but what I produce.

For example:
“I work in athletic communications at Spartanburg Methodist, focusing on elevating our brand through storytelling and real-time content. Over the past year, we’ve increased engagement and expanded coverage around our student-athletes’ national-level performances.”

That does three things:

1. Establishes role
2. Highlights outcomes
3. Opens the door for conversation

The key is tailoring that pitch depending on who you’re speaking to:

• Administrators (ADs, commissioners): Emphasize visibility, branding, and institutional impact
• Peers (SIDs): Talk process, workflow, and creative execution

Your value pitch isn’t static—it’s situational.

The Final Countdown (April 6, 2026)

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The countdown is on: We are just 60 days away from the College Sports Communicators annual convention. If you haven't signed up yet, now is the time!

Before we get to the main event, the CSC U committee is hosting a virtual workshop this week (April 8–9). It’s a fantastic resource for students, interns, and young professionals looking for mentorship and support in the industry.

Since this marks the unofficial start of "convention season," I’m dedicating the next few days to helping you prep. Stay tuned for tips on how to maximize your convention experience and build lasting professional connections.

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Pre-Convention Scouting — Building a Strategic Networking Game Plan

Convention season in athletic communications isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing up with intent.

Early in my career, I treated conventions like a volume game. Shake as many hands as possible, collect business cards, and hope something sticks. The reality? Very little of it translated into meaningful professional growth.

That changed when I started treating networking like we approach game coverage: with preparation, structure, and defined outcomes.

Before stepping into a convention, I now build a scouting report:

• Who are the people I need to connect with?
• What gaps exist in my current network?
• Where can I add value—not just extract it?

For example, if I know our department is trying to elevate video storytelling or improve live stats integration, I prioritize conversations with peers and vendors in those areas. That shifts networking from passive to purposeful.

I also leverage attendee lists and LinkedIn ahead of time. A simple message—“Looking forward to connecting at the convention”—turns a cold introduction into a warm one before you even arrive.

Most importantly, I set measurable goals. Not vague ideas like “network more,” but tangible benchmarks:

• 8–10 meaningful conversations
• 3 follow-ups scheduled within a week
• 1 new idea I can implement immediately

In athletic communications, we’re constantly evaluated on output and impact. Networking should be no different. Treat preparation as your competitive edge—and your convention experience will reflect it.

GetSET2Connect Series - "T" - Teamwork; Part 4: The Veteran’s Pivot – Moving from Scorer to Coach (April 2, 2026)

When you first start in Athletic Communications, teamwork is about your output. You want to be the one who writes the best feature, catches the stat error, or saves the day during a power outage. You want to prove you belong on the "Varsity" roster.

But for those of us with 20+ years of experience, the goalpost shifts. If you are still trying to be the only "scorer" in the office, you aren’t being a great teammate—you’re becoming a bottleneck.

The Pivot: From "I" to "We"

The Veteran’s Pivot is the intentional move from being the primary producer to being the primary facilitator.

In basketball, even the greatest scorers eventually realize they can’t win a championship alone. They start looking for the open man. They start coaching on the floor. In our world, that looks like:

• Delegating with Purpose: Not just giving away the "boring" tasks, but giving away the "big" tasks to a young pro so they can build their own portfolio.

• Protecting the Culture: A veteran teammate is the one who sets the emotional tone in the office during a high-stress tournament. If you stay calm, the room stays calm.

• The "Institutional Memory" Assist: Using your 25 years of context to help a rookie avoid a political landmine or a historical error.

Teamwork as Mentorship

At this stage of my career, my value isn't just in how fast I can type a press release. It’s in my ability to mentor. As I’ve discussed throughout my blog posts, being Strategic means realizing that the strongest team is the one that doesn't fall apart when the leader isn't in the room.

If you are an experienced job seeker—perhaps looking for that AD or Associate AD role—this is what search committees are looking for. They don't just want a "doer"; they want a culture-builder. They want to know: Can you take a group of individuals and turn them into a cohesive unit?

The "SMC" Example

I think back to the jersey retirement last week for Coach Tim Wallace. That event wasn't a one-man show. It required the collaboartion between the PA announcer, the athletic director, myself as the SID to move in sync. As a veteran, my role wasn't to do every job; it was to ensure every piece of the puzzle fit perfectly to honor a man who gave so much to this institution.

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Final Thought:

• "What was the hardest 'task' you ever had to give up to a student-assistant so they could grow?" * 

GetSET2Connect Series - "T" - Teamwork; Part 3: The Power of the "Assist" – Teamwork for the Inexperienced Pro (April 1, 2026)

If you’re a student-assistant or a young professional just starting your journey in an athletic department, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have much to offer the "varsity" team yet. You look at the veterans with 20+ years of experience and think, "What can I possibly contribute?"

Here is a secret from 25 years in the chair: In SID work, the "assist" is just as vital as the goal.

In basketball, a great point guard doesn’t always need to score. They "set the screen" to get a teammate open or deliver the perfect pass that leads to the bucket. In the office, teamwork starts with being the person everyone can count on for the fundamentals.

1. Small-Task Excellence

Before you can write the award-winning season preview, you have to prove you can get the rosters right. Before you manage the social media strategy, you have to show you can handle the "grunt work" of updating a bio or checking a box score for typos.

To the inexperienced pro: There are no small tasks, only small attitudes. When you execute a minor task with 100% accuracy, you aren't just "doing a chore"—you are building trust.

2. "Setting the Screen" for Your Supervisor

A great teammate anticipates where the help is needed. If you see your boss is swamped with a post-game press conference, don’t wait for them to ask you to print the stat sheets. Just do it.

"Setting the screen" means removing obstacles for your teammates so they can succeed. When you make your supervisor’s job easier, you aren't just a "helper"—you are a strategic asset to the department.

3. Reliability is Your Greatest Stat

You might not have the "stats" on your resume yet—no major bowl games or national championships—but the most important stat you can track is your reliability.

• Do you show up on time?

• Do you stay until the job is done?

• Do you follow through on the "boring" details?

Teamwork isn’t always about being the loudest voice in the room; often, it’s about being the most consistent presence in the office.

The Career Builder's Tip:

When you are an inexperienced job seeker, your "teamwork" section on a resume shouldn't just say "Team Player." It should show it. Talk about the time you stepped up to cover a sport that wasn't yours, or how you managed the credential desk so your director could focus on the broadcast. Employers aren't looking for a superstar; they are looking for a teammate who understands the power of the assist.

GetSET2Connect Series - "T" - Teamwork; Part 2: The Diehard’s Heart – Why Passion is the Ultimate Teamwork Multiplier (March 31, 2026)

In our first post, we looked at the structure of teamwork through the lens of a massive family. Today, we shift from the "how" to the "why." We’re talking about the spirit of the team.

Growing up, my father wasn’t just a spectator; he was a diehard. Whether the score was a blowout or a nail-biter, he was in the stands, leaning forward in his favorite recliner, or glued to the radio until the final whistle. He taught me that being a fan isn't about the wins; it’s about the allegiance.

In the world of Sports Information, we pride ourselves on being "objective" and "professional"—and we should be. But there is a massive difference between being a "clock-puncher" and being a "diehard" for your institution.

The "All-In" Professional

When my father cheered, he wasn't just rooting for a jersey; he was supporting a community. In our profession, teamwork fails the moment we stop caring about the outcome for the student-athletes.

• The Clock-Puncher: Records the stat, sends the release, and hits the exit.

• The Diehard Teammate: Sees the senior linebacker’s tears after a heartbreaking loss and writes the story that honors his four-year journey. They stay late—not because they have to, but because the "team" deserves the best coverage possible.

Teamwork is "Emotional Labor"

Real teamwork requires a level of commitment to your colleagues that goes beyond a job description. When the Basketball SID is underwater with a double-header, the "Diehard" teammate doesn't ask, "Is that my responsibility?" They ask, "How can I help the home team win today?"

Teamwork is the byproduct of shared passion. If you don’t care about the "logo" on the shirt, you’ll never truly be a great teammate to the person sitting across the desk from you.

Leadership in Action: Honoring a Legend

I saw this "all-in" spirit in action this past Saturday, March 28. I had the privilege of being part of the team that retired the number of Tim Wallace, the former head baseball coach at Spartanburg Methodist College. My time as his coworker was short, but the impact was meaningful because of the culture he helped build. You can read my full reflections on that experience [Read more].

For the Experienced Job Seeker

When you’re interviewing for a leadership role—like an Assistant AD or a Director—the search committee isn't just looking at your 25 years of service. They are looking for your fire.

Can you inspire a staff of young professionals to be "diehards" for their school? Can you show them that you still have the same "front-row energy" my father had? At the executive level, teamwork is about contagious commitment.

Reflection on Tim Wallace (March 29, 2026)

Photo above by Tim Kimzey

Yesterday, we had the honor of retiring the number of my friend and former colleague, Coach Tim Wallace, at Spartanburg Methodist College.

Our time working together wasn’t long, but his impact on me was lasting—and that’s something I’ve come to understand more clearly in this profession. The longer you’re in college athletics, the more you realize the job is never just about the scoreboard, the stat sheet, or the final recap.

It’s about people.

It’s about the standards you uphold when no one is watching. It’s about how you represent a program, an institution, and the countless individuals who poured into it long before you arrived. It’s about telling stories the right way—honestly, respectfully, and with the understanding that what we do becomes part of someone else’s legacy.

Coach Wallace built something that went far beyond wins. He built relationships. He built expectations. He built a culture that people are still proud to be part of today.

As someone who had the privilege to work alongside him, even briefly, I carry that responsibility with me. My hope—every day—is that I’ve done right by him, by his family, by his former players, and by everyone connected to that program. 

Not just in what I produced, but in how I went about it.

Because in the end, our work isn’t measured solely by what’s said on the scoreboard—it’s measured by the trust we earn, the stories we tell, and the respect we leave behind.

That’s something worth striving for.

GetSET2Connect Series - "T" - Teamwork; Part 1: The Kitchen Table Huddle – Lessons from a Family of 13 (March 30, 2026)

The "T" in the GetSET2Connect model is arguably the most foundational. While "Strategic" and "Engagement" get you in the room, Teamwork is what keeps you there. It is the bridge between individual talent and institutional impact.

GetSET2Connect Series - "E" - Engagement – Conclusion (March 28, 2026)

As we wrap up the "E" in the GetSET2Connect series, it is clear that Engagement is the bridge between having a strategy and building a lasting legacy. Over the last five posts, we have deconstructed what it truly means to be an engaged professional in the ever-evolving landscape of athletic communications.

Here is a look back at the journey we’ve taken:

• The Foundation: We defined engagement not as mere activity, but as the active pursuit of growth and the intentionality behind every professional interaction.

• The Sprint: We looked at the short-term—mastering the daily gameday grind, from Adobe Creative Suite workflows to the immediate demands of NCAA and NAIA media relations.

• The Endurance: We shifted to the long-term, discussing how to maintain passion and avoid burnout over a 25-year career by staying anchored to your "why."

• The Pivot: We explored the necessity of flexibility—learning when to shift your focus, whether that’s toward PA announcing, new digital storytelling tools, or leadership roles.

• The Connection: Finally, we closed the loop. Your engagement acts as a magnet, drawing in mentors and peers who align with your specific goals and allowing you to pour back into the next generation of SIDs.

Engagement is the difference between working in sports and influencing the future of the profession. When you are engaged, you don't just report history; you help shape it.

Let’s Connect:

This series is just the beginning of the conversation. If the GetSET2Connect model resonates with your journey, or if you’re looking to navigate your own career pivots with more intentionality, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s continue the dialogue and elevate this profession together. Connect with me on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-kambel/

#GetSET2Connect #SportsCommunications #SID #AthleticCommunications #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #Mentorship #CollegeSports #Leadership