Monetizing my personal brand totally shifted the directory of my life and career. Most of the impacts have been positive, but I’d be lying if I said NIL didn’t impact my mental health.
NIL takes energy
Being a student-athlete already takes a ton of mental toughness. At times, it feels like having two full-time jobs. With NIL, it can feel like three.
With limited free time, squeezing in NIL activities can be a challenge. I can’t count the number of days where I’ve came home from practice and felt the urgent need to start my homework, only to find a bunch of important NIL-related emails waiting for me. You have a constant tradeoff between directing your energy toward school, sports, social life, social media, or trying to be a professional businessperson.
Priorities are key
Protecting your mental and physical health must come first. You only have one body and one mind for the rest of your life. If you don’t treat them right, sports and school and all the awesome NIL opportunities out there will start to slip. It’s easy to get on a downward spiral. Yet, with a healthy mind, every area of your life is more likely to improve.
Make prioritization your best friend. Know what matters to you above all else. No judgement here, but you must live with the consequences of what you focus on.
Is one more NIL deal worth sacrificing some moments that make life worth living? Be intentional with your time. Say “no” to things that don’t serve you, and learn to let go of the guilt that comes with setting healthy boundaries. It’s always okay to take what you need.
The Hidden Opponent is an incredible organization focused on student-athlete mental health. Their Campus Captains program brings mental health resources to student-athletes all over – check it out!
Figure out what works for you
Make time for whatever re-energizes you. For me, it’s solo dance parties in my apartment, meditation, calling my family, taking long hot showers, and going for walks. Choose your own adventure. Then, avoid compromising your me-time boundaries too often. We’re trying not to burn out here!
Control what you can
Just like in sports, you can only control so much in the NIL world. You can’t control most of the deals your teammates get, and you probably have little impact on how much they get paid. So, why do we spend time worrying about this stuff? Don’t waste your energy on unhealthy comparison. Instead, see other’s success as inspiration.
Remember though, you have way more control than you probably realize. You choose…
- What you share on social media
- The quality of work you do
- Where to spend your time
- How you treat others
- Your mindset
Sometimes, you might even be able to change a brand’s budget with some real negotiation skills!
Overall, you have full control of your personal NIL activities, and you should make sure that they align with your goals and values. Finding an overarching purpose and “why” for my NIL activities has helped me keep moving forward. For example, I care about sharing a message of playfulness in sport. A lot of my social media posts and NIL deals show that serious athletes can have fun too. This theme has built my brand, and I feel great about partnering with companies who resonate with the message!
Many other athletes have found purpose in NIL too, whether they’re increasing awareness about something they care about, fundraising for a cause, or spreading positive light in the world. Find what fuels you, and make your NIL goals revolve around it. You’re amazing.
Looking for more mental health resources? NIL Insight has a great list
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