With a promising career in football cut short through injury, Fergus Bell explains why his fellows players should plan for a life after the game.

Give up FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)

Two points on the above; there is inevitably going to be a sense of regret and hurt that you can’t lace those boots up again in the changing room with friends and peers. However, the sooner you see the situation for what it is and was, whilst still taking the positives from a successful achievement of making it to pro-level, the better.

Personally, I have always used every “Isn’t it a shame what happened” offer of condolence, as a driver. As a sportsman, it is clear that you have an obsessive drive to achieve, proven by the ability to sacrifice and dedicate throughout those younger years – flip that FOMO around and use it to push your new direction and life. Dropping it will be the best thing you can do.

 “Business opportunities are like buses – there’s always another one coming,” Richard Branson.

Whilst being eager to get straight into the hustle and bustle of corporate life, do your due diligence before investing time, effort and money into new schemes and opportunities. No matter how good an opportunity seems at the time, take a good period to run all your personal and financial stress tests on the model. There are always further opportunities sprouting from your newly formed network that will be keen to work with someone with your background and unique skill set. Don’t commit too early.

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