One of the biggest misconceptions about building a successful career is that you always have to be moving.
Apply for another job.
Send another networking email.
Attend another conference.
Post another update on LinkedIn.
Find another certification.
The pressure to always be doing something can leave us feeling like we're making progress when, in reality, we're simply staying busy.
There is a difference.
The most successful professionals I've met over the past 26 years in college athletics have something in common. They work incredibly hard, but they also know when to step back. They create space to think. They evaluate where they've been, where they're going, and whether the path they're on still aligns with the person they want to become.
Reflection isn't time away from growth.
Reflection is part of growth.
As I write this, I'm preparing to take two weeks away to rest, recharge, spend time with my family, and simply think. There won't be a long checklist to complete. There won't be pressure to create content every day or answer every email immediately.
Instead, I'll be doing something I believe many of us don't do nearly enough.
I'll be listening.
Listening to my own thoughts.
Listening to the ideas that have been pushed aside because life has been moving too fast.
Listening to what deserves my attention during the final six months of 2026.
For those of us working in college athletics, we're conditioned to keep going. There is always another season, another event, another deadline, another student-athlete to serve, another story to tell.
The work never truly stops.
But neither should our commitment to becoming better leaders, better communicators, and better people.
Sometimes becoming better starts by slowing down.
Three Questions Worth Asking
Whether you're a student searching for your first internship, a graduate assistant preparing for your next opportunity, or a seasoned professional leading a department, I encourage you to ask yourself three simple questions.
What am I most proud of this year?
Not your résumé.
Not your awards.
Think about the conversations that mattered.
The people you helped.
The relationships you built.
The moments that reminded you why you chose this profession.
What do I need to leave behind?
Maybe it's comparison.
Maybe it's fear of rejection.
Maybe it's believing you have to know everything before taking the next step.
Growth often begins when we stop carrying things that no longer serve us.
What deserves more of my attention?
Relationships?
Learning?
Health?
Family?
Mentorship?
Purpose?
Success rarely comes from doing more things.
It often comes from giving more attention to the right things.
Careers Are Built With Intention
One of the reasons I started writing this blog series is because I've watched too many talented people believe they have to figure everything out on their own.
You don't.
Careers are built through relationships.
Through intentional conversations.
Through asking thoughtful questions.
Through helping others.
Through taking time to become the kind of professional people trust.
That kind of growth doesn't happen overnight.
It also doesn't happen when every minute of your schedule is full.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is create enough margin to think clearly.
Editor's Perspective
The first half of 2026 has challenged me, encouraged me, and reminded me why I love working in college athletics.
I've had opportunities to meet new people, mentor young professionals, celebrate career milestones, tell meaningful stories at Spartanburg Methodist College, and continue building the vision for GetSET2Connect.
I'm incredibly grateful for each conversation.
I'm equally excited about what's ahead.
Over the next two weeks, I'm intentionally stepping away—not because I'm finished, but because I want to return with greater clarity, renewed energy, and an even stronger commitment to serving this profession.
When I come back, my attention shifts toward the next chapter.
Launching GetSET2Connect.
Building new partnerships.
Creating resources that help future college sports communicators feel prepared instead of overwhelmed.
Continuing to invest in people, because people have always been the best part of this profession.
The second half of 2026 isn't about doing more.
It's about doing what matters most.
Your Assignment
Set aside 30 uninterrupted minutes this week.
Leave your phone in another room.
Close your laptop.
Grab a notebook and answer these three questions:
What should I continue doing?
What should I stop doing?
What deserves more of my attention during the rest of this year?
Don't rush your answers.
The direction of your career isn't determined only by how hard you work.
It's also shaped by how honestly you're willing to reflect.
Thank you for reading this series and for allowing me to be a small part of your career journey.
We'll continue building together soon.
Stay Connected.
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