Personal Next: What We Can Learn From Elite Athletes Navigating Career Transition

by Melinda Harrison

Overview

An Olympian shares advice for high-achievers navigating career and life transitions. After achieving a major accomplishment or realizing a lifelong dream, many high-performing individuals struggle to open a new chapter in life with the same confidence and enthusiasm that fueled their previous successes. In Personal Next, former Olympic athlete Melinda Harrison examines the difficulties people may face after reaching what seemed to be the height of their careers. Through interviews with more than 100 elite athletes and other high-achievers who navigated a major life transition, Harrison distills nine key PRACTICES that support a successful pivot to a new arena. Harrison describes the arc of transition common to all high-performers, including the ascent to peak achievement, the messy middle of change, and the move toward new goals, challenges, and rewards. Woven throughout the book are stories from elite athletes and high achievers, including Harrison's own. Life after the pinnacle of success doesn't have to be all downhill. If you are struggling to find your feet after coming off a personal best, reading this book will help you to prepare for success in your personal next.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781894769549
Publisher:	Self Publish
Publication date:	11/27/2024
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

Melinda Harrison is a ICF certified professional coach, the author of the book Personal Next and the founder of Success After Sports. As Olympian (1984 swimming) and through her extensive research Melinda has developed a deep understanding of elements that athletes face as they move away from training and competing toward the next part of their lives. She has a deep belief that our athletes with guidance can become our future leaders and make a significant impact on the generations that follow them. https: //www.melindaharrison.com linkedin.com/in/harrisonmelinda @melindaharrison

Table of Contents

Introduction: High Achievers 1

The Arc of Transition 11

The Practices 17

Stage 1 Tackling the Ascent

Chapter 1 Testing the Waters 27

Chapter 2 All-in 39

Chapter 3 Personal Best 55

Practices in Play: The Synergistic Effect 68

Stage 2 Negotiating the Messy Middle

Chapter 4 Gut Checks 73

Chapter 5 Unravelling 89

Chapter 6 On the Outs 106

Practices in Play: Failure Informs Success 117

Stage 3 Climbing New Heights

Chapter 7 Shift 121

Chapter 8 Rally 134

Chapter 9 Personal Next 149

Practices in Play: Your Goals for Next 162

Conclusion: The Sky View 164

Acknowledgements 167

Appendices 170

Notes 175

Selected Bibliography 181

Index 194

About the Author 200

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Every competitor, whether athlete or not, needs to read this book!"

—Jeremiah Brown, Olympic silver medalist and author of The 4 Year Olympian

"Melinda does a masterful job of describing the stages of all high performers: the ascent to a personal best, the struggles of the messy middle, and then the discovery of a personal next. The journey she takes you on will help you take ownership of your next steps."

—Simon Keith, soccer player, author of Heart for the Game, and the first athlete to play professional sports after a heart transplant

"One of the most effective forms of support is peer to peer. Melinda has provided this support in Personal Next. Well done for providing this great resource for our community."

—Gearoid Towey, three-time Olympian and founder of crossingthelinesport.com

"Harrison turns her keen eye on investigating her fellow athletes to uncover what we can learn about growing—and thriving—any time we face a lifealtering transition. Using inspiring stories, powerful frameworks, and the seamless integration of the latest science, she weaves a powerful case for why change is the greatest opportunity of all."

—Dr. Sarah McKay, PhD, director of The Neuroscience Academy and author of The Women's Brain Book