Athletes: Control your social environment, don’t let it control you

Usually, when we hear the word “environment,” we think of our ecosystem, but there’s also the artificial environment we create. This artificial environment encompasses anything involving human and social interaction, which affects decisions and personality. Our social environment consists of daily interactions and contact with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone we form a relationship with.

Numerous factors influence our social environment, and we cannot easily control them. Consider football teams, for example, who spend the night before crucial matches in hotels with only team members present. By isolating athletes from social interactions apart from teammates and coaches, they minimize distractions and maximize performance. Isolating athletes ensures they avoid undue pressure from acquaintances, friends, and family. The day before a game, especially an important one, can be stressful, and even a well-intended comment can negatively affect them.

Social media has become a significant and expanding part of an athlete’s social environment. The financial and public stature of athletes now heavily depends on social media. Athletes earn substantial money from collaborations, such as sponsorships with major brands. To achieve this, athletes must influence their fans socially, maintaining social acceptability and admiration. Socially acceptable behaviour means athletes must be mindful of every action, on and off the field, knowing their words and actions impact their fans.

Stress is one of the top factors affecting an athlete’s performance on the field. Athletes often follow emotional coping strategies to deal with stress but face criticism daily from commentators, the media, and fans. Thus, athletes must understand that criticism is part of the price for stardom and should handle it calmly and maturely. Athletes must accept all opinions, but that doesn’t mean they should internalize them or welcome them. Criticism sometimes comes from bitterness, so athletes should focus on opinions from coaches or trusted sources.

Overall, a good performance outcome is linked to an individual’s well-being, which depends on their social environment. Aspiring athletes sacrifice personal and social lives, prioritizing long hours of training over time with loved ones to achieve dreams. Athletes must balance their sports, personal, and social lives, keeping all components in sync for success.

Rapid money growth and sudden wealth attract people to athletes, especially when it involves six or seven-digit figures. Sudden wealth can make athletes feel “trapped,” feeling compelled to reciprocate for support received during their development years. If managed properly, sudden wealth offers athletes a great opportunity to build lasting wealth and use it to achieve their dreams.

Controlling your social environment is difficult, but athletes must surround themselves with trusted advisors who guide them in balancing relationships. Family, friends, and finances should be kept in balance, avoiding emotional decisions and impulse reactions. If emotion dominates, the social environment controls the athlete, which could have long-lasting negative effects on their emotional and financial well-being.