Six Steps to Invest in Yourself

Every significant moment of growth in my life has come from one core principle: betting on myself. From walking away from football after 10 years in the NFL to stepping into entrepreneurship, I’ve learned that progress requires risk.

But it’s not just about taking risks—it’s about taking calculated risks, grounded in preparation, and anchored by a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

For many people, betting on yourself feels like a big risk. Whether it’s the fear of failure, the weight of uncertainty, or the comfort of the status quo, these limiting mindsets are holding you back.

But, when you shift your perspective and start seeing risk as an investment in your growth, it becomes a powerful tool for transformation. Here’s a 6-step framework I’ve developed to confidently bet on myself throughout the different chapters and transitions in my life—hopefully you can use them to take ownership of your future:

1. Define Your Vision With Clarity

The foundation of betting on yourself is knowing exactly what you’re betting on, and why. When I decided to walk away from football, it wasn’t because I lacked options. I still had opportunities to play, and physically, I could still contribute. But my internal vision had shifted.

The clearer your vision, the easier it is to align your actions and take purposeful steps forward.

I realized I wanted to create value beyond the game. I wanted to build a second act that leveraged my experiences but wasn’t confined by them. It started with understanding what I wanted to achieve, and defining what a win looked like for me— not the ones everyone else thought I should be chasing. That clarity gave me the confidence to make what seems like a difficult decision with ease.

In business or life, the same principle applies. Before you take on something that feels like a risk, define what success looks like for you on the other end:

• What do you want to achieve?

• What does the win look like?

2. Prepare for the Unknown

Taking risks doesn’t mean being reckless. One of the keys to betting on yourself is preparation— although it looks different for every person and su. It could mean building financial reserves, learning new skills, or creating a network of trusted advisors.

During my playing career, I started exploring interests outside of football as early as my fourth season. I invested in small businesses, learned from mentors, and tested different opportunities.

Preparation reduces uncertainty and sets you up for success when the moment comes to act.

Some of those ventures failed. But every experience added to my toolkit. Win or lose, these ‘reps’ helped me build the skills and confidence to navigate life after football. By the time I stepped away, I wasn’t starting from scratch—I had already laid the a lot of the groundwork for my next chapter.

3. Understand the Calculated in Calculated Risks

There’s a difference between rolling the dice and taking smart risks. When I decided to invest in an indoor football team during my playing days, it wasn’t just a passion project for show—it was a calculated move. I saw it as an opportunity to learn about operations, engage with my community, and expand my understanding of business in an area I knew really well.

Taking smart risks isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about stacking the odds in your favor.

That experience taught me an important lesson— not all risks are equal. The more certainties and knowledge you bring to the table, the more capacity you create to handle the unknowns that are inevitable.

In business, this means conducting due diligence, gathering insights, and assessing the landscape before making a decision. Before you take a leap, evaluate the potential outcomes.

• What’s the upside?

• What’s the downside?

• What’s the worst-case scenario, and can you live with it?

4. Reframe Failure as Feedback

One of the biggest barriers to betting on yourself is the fear of failure. But even when it hits, failure is rarely as catastrophic as we imagine. In fact, some of my most valuable lessons came from things that didn’t work out.

Each misstep brings you closer to your goal if you’re willing to learn from it.

For example, not every business I invested in delivered a return. But those experiences taught me how to evaluate opportunities, manage future expectations, and navigate uncertainty. They also reminded me that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the journey.

It’s about learning to reframe failure as feedback. When something doesn’t go as planned, ask yourself:

• What did I learn?

• How can I improve?

• What’s the next step?

5. Build a Support System That Believes in You

Throughout my journey, I’ve leaned on mentors, advisors, and peers who challenged me to think bigger and supported me when I needed it most.

Betting on yourself doesn’t mean going it alone.

In my transition from football to business, I was fortunate to have people who saw my potential beyond the field. They encouraged me to pursue opportunities I hadn’t considered and provided guidance when I faced tough decisions.

Surround yourself with people who align with your vision and believe in your ability to achieve it. These relationships are invaluable, not just for the insights they provide, but for the confidence they instill.

6. Trust the Process

One of the hardest parts of taking risks is that the results aren’t immediate. It takes time to see the payoff, and there will be moments of doubt along the way. The key is to trust the process.

Even when you can’t see the progress, trust your process.

At times you won’t be able to see the path in front of you. It may be hidden behind fog and external distractions, or you may have to create it as you go. Regardless, keep taking steps forward. Make sure you learn from each experience and stay committed to your vision. Over time, those small steps will compound, and micro movements slowly become significant progress.

Trusting the process doesn’t mean being rigid and avoiding adjustments—it means staying focused on your goals while remaining open to growth and change.

Final Thoughts

Betting on yourself is not the same as gambling. It’s about having the courage to invest in your growth—it’s the ultimate act of belief in yourself.

One of the most empowering decisions you can make is to adopt a mindset that prioritizes the discipline to prepare and the resilience to learn from setbacks. That is the first step to setting yourself up for a future that reflects your true potential.

Ready to take the next step?

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