As a current or former athlete, you may have spent much of your life striving for excellence, pushing yourself to your limits, and constantly seeking improvement. However, one of the biggest mental hurdles that can affect your post-athletic career, finances, fitness, sponsorship opportunities, and even relationships is a deficit mindset—the belief that you are always lacking something. I’ll admit that a deficit mindset is something I’ve struggled with, and even these days I occasionally have to ‘check’ myself and reframe my thinking. This frame of mind can be subtle but deeply harmful, especially when it becomes ingrained in how you approach different areas of life. Instead of focusing what you don’t have, it’s crucial to adjust your thinking to achieve long-term success and fulfillment. Here are a few ways this perspective can affect you and ways you can overcome it.
Where a Deficit Mindset Shows Up in Life
Career Growth. In sports, athletes often measure success by wins and losses. When you transition into the workforce, this black-and-white thinking can persist, leading you to believe that if you aren’t immediately successful, you’re failing. This mindset can limit your career growth, as it can cause you to focus too much on what you lack rather than the opportunities available.
For instance, instead of seeing every job interview or opportunity as a step forward, a deficit mindset might make you focus on the skills you don’t yet have or the qualifications you don’t meet, thus making you hesitate to apply for certain roles or promotions. To overcome this, shift your thinking toward continuous learning and growth. Rather than fixating on what you don’t have, focus on how far you’ve come and how much you can achieve through persistence and adaptability.
Finances. Many athletes, especially those who are used to receiving scholarships or funding, struggle with financial management once those resources are no longer available. The fear of not having enough money can lead to a scarcity mindset, where you feel that no matter how much you earn or save, it will never be enough.
Instead of falling into the trap of thinking that financial security is always out of reach, start by reframing your perspective. Develop a realistic and proactive approach to money management, such as budgeting, investing, and saving for future goals. This way, you can view your financial situation not as one of constant deficiency but as an evolving journey toward financial empowerment.
Fitness. For athletes, fitness is often a central aspect of identity. When athletic careers come to an end, it can be easy to feel like your fitness goals are slipping away or that you’ll never be in the same shape again. This sense of loss can lead to neglecting fitness altogether, thinking, “I’ll never get back to where I was.”
However, a shift in mindset can transform your relationship with fitness. Instead of viewing fitness through the lens of past achievements, reframe your goals around maintaining long-term health and well-being. Understand that your fitness journey now is different from when you were competing, but it is no less important. Set new goals that are realistic for your current life stage, and celebrate incremental improvements.
Gaining Sponsorships and Building Your Brand. With NIL it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing you don’t have the right connections or visibility to secure sponsorships, especially if you compare yourself to more prominent athletes. This can lead to missed opportunities because you feel like you’re always behind the curve.
To overcome this, remember that many brands are looking for authenticity and relatable stories. You don’t need a million followers to gain sponsorships or build a successful personal brand. Shift your mindset from “I’m not big enough” to “What unique value do I bring to the table?” Whether you’re a current athlete or have already transitioned out of sports, focus on how you can leverage your story, your work ethic, and your values to create partnerships that align with your personal brand.
Relationships. The deficit mindset can even affect your relationships. Athletes are often surrounded by a team, coaches, and fans, and when that environment disappears, it can lead to feelings of loneliness or believing that your support system is lacking. You may even struggle with personal relationships, thinking, “I don’t have the time” or “I don’t have enough to offer.”
It’s important to reframe how you think about relationships. Focus on quality over quantity. Just because your team or network looks different now doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Investing time in meaningful relationships and building a strong support system—whether that’s with family, friends, or colleagues—will help fill the emotional gaps left by your athletic career.
A deficit mindset is not uncommon among athletes, but recognizing it is the first step to overcoming it. Shifting from a scarcity-based mentality to an abundance mindset can help you excel in all areas of life, from your career to finances, fitness, sponsorships, and relationships. The key is to stop focusing on what you lack and start seeing the opportunities around you. With the right perspective, you can thrive both on and off the field.