There are so many ways athletes can grow personally, professionally and financially. As you grow, there are also options for athletes to invest their hard earned money back into themselves.
When I invest my money into my savings account or into the stock market, I expect it to grow over time. I’ve learned that the same logic applies to other areas of my life, which helps keep me mentally and physically balanced.
11 Ways Athletes Can Invest in Themselves
Invest your money. Investing in the market by owning stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate and more is a great way to grow your money over time.
Build your savings account. Having a healthy savings account is one of the best ways you can invest in your financial future. A savings account can prevent unforeseen emergencies from damaging your finances. I’ve had car repairs, taxes, medical fees and more pop out of nowhere, and having the savings to cover surprise expenses has helped me big time.
Learn a new skill or trade. Professional training such as workshops, seminars and other programs can expand your current skill-set. Learning something new is also a great way to network and open up opportunities for you to connect with experts in the field. Many courses or workshops are very affordable and can be found on websites like Eventbrite, MeetUp, CourseHorse and others.
Join a networking group. There are so many networking events, career fairs and programs you can attend to meet others. Connecting with people in your field (e.g. the NIL industry, sports professionals, business leaders, etc.) can help propel your career. More relationships can result in better opportunities while you’re an athlete or once you graduate from school.
Hire a financial advisor. Working with a financial advisor can help take the guesswork out of managing your money. Professionals can help you create a savings strategy, keep you on top of market trends, and provide advice that helps grow your portfolio over time.
Create a business. Utilize skills you already have by investing your money into your own business. If you’re a current athlete, start small so that you don’t burn yourself out juggling classes, workouts, and a side hustle.
Take courses. Taking a course can also be a valuable investment in yourself. While many courses come at a cost, you can take away some very valuable information that can help boost other areas of your life. Courses that teach investing, money management, or real estate are just a few examples of topics that you can build on as you get older.
Utilize a scheduler. Athletes are pulled in so many directions. Take time to invest in a scheduler to help you manage your classes, exams, workouts, schedules and more. If you’re working or have NIL partnerships, include important deadlines such as promotions, appearances, and others to help you stay on top of your commitments. I spent a little extra this year to purchase this scheduler, and so far it’s helped me organize my days, weeks and months very easily.
Get sleep. You’ve heard time and time again- getting solid sleep is so important for our physical and mental well-being. Do your best to eliminate distractions, and if necessary, invest in items to help you doze off. Kurt and I have really comfortable pillows, eye covers and bed sheets. While ear plugs may not be practical for those 6am workout alarm clocks, they might be great if you live in a noisy apartment or your if you’re trying to squeeze a nap next to a noisy roommate.
Prioritize your mental health. All of the time you spend waking up early, going to class, working out and striving for perfection can take it’s toll. If you find yourself dealing with very common mental health struggles- anxiety, stress, depression, etc., don’t hesitate to contact a mental health provider. There are tons of options online, along with resources you can find within your school or university.
Eat well. Athletes know the impact of eating well can have on their performance. The same applies after you hang up your cleats. I’ve found that making simple choices make a huge difference in how I feel and think. I can tell the difference in my body when I eliminate fast food, drink water daily, and remove sugars and alcohol from my diet.
Finally, be patient… results take time! Investing in every aspect of your life, all at once, isn’t recommended. Start by focusing on one or two areas to invest in, be consistent, and before you know it you’ll see results.