Four Quarters Of Success: The NFL couldn't have prepared me for what I was up against, once all the fame and the spotlights had left. The transition from the football field back to reality has been one of the hardest challenges I have had to face thus far in my life. By being so use to the pampered lifestyle and everything the game had to offer, I like so many of my colleagues fell into the trap of living in the past. I was constantly waiting for the whistle to blow and the game to begin. I found myself asking, where did all the fans go? Where are the cameras? Hey coach! Call the play. However, there were no cameras and all the fans moved on to the new generation of athletes. 

Time for Change

I have never been the type of person who has gone around feeling sorry for myself, and I don't expect anyone else to feel sorry for me either. The reality is, everything that has happened to me, I have brought on to myself. Every individual has been given the gift of choice, and it is what you decide to do with it, that will determine your outcome in life. After running around for three years lost in the dark, it was time for me to man-up and get back in the game. The Game of Life. 

Go Back to What You Know

I had to first go back to the basics. I had to re-train my mind on everything I had learned on my journey while becoming a champion. Words like, " never give up ", would cross my mind, or "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going ". That is when I came up with four things that I thought would help me get to where I needed to be to make the team. 

First Quarter: Strong Foundation

In order for one to be truly successful he or she must first have a strong foundation in place to be able to support them, when things get tough. Something or someone to turn to for comfort and support. This could be your faith in God or your family or even a friend or maybe someone like a coach or an individual that you trust. The truth is that we as human beings will always need others to help us to get to where we are going. For me, it was my faith in God and my family that helped me get through this tough time in my life... 

For more on this topic, visit us @ www.3030hayes.com or purchase your copy of my book, Suits on... Game On, Know Your Position, to see how I break down the game of football and its correlation to everyday life...