Life is full of transitions, and not all of them are easy. After 11 years in Jacksonville, the Jaguars traded me to our rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, days before the start of the 2015 season. I had to decide if I’d bring my family with me on short notice. Our second son wasn’t even a year old, so I ended up making the move to Pennsylvania solo. I struggled as a Steeler, missing my first two field goals of the season. In Week 4, I missed two late kicks in a game we’d go on to lose in overtime. Two days later, the team released me.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have found a way to get my family to Pittsburgh. Being hundreds of miles away from them was tough. I didn’t have any familiar voices of support. My new teammates tried, but I needed encouragement from people I trusted during a transitional moment. I struggled after retiring too. Transitions are inevitable, so we have to figure out how to handle them. If you’re facing big changes in your life, here are 3 (extra) points for handling change.
1. Prioritize time with others.
Transitions in life are hard enough. Doing them on your own magnifies the struggle. So, do what I did in 2025—invite others into the changes. I asked a group of buddies to do weekly phone calls so I could lean on them. They didn’t have to agree, but I’m grateful they did. Just having guys to talk with about all the movement in my life was amazing. Those calls allowed for encouragement, brainstorming, and accountability. All dads need that.
It could take some work on your end to find those reliable few people who can help you navigate change. I assure you it’s worth the effort. There’s a reason rope is braided. Three strands are stronger than one. The same goes for you. You will be better off when you’re intertwined with others because there’s more strength when there’s support. If your schedules are crazy, I get that. Maybe start with texts or FaceTime. If you can meet up at a coffee shop once per month, even better. When you do meet, go beyond surface-level stuff. Be vulnerable and raw about how life’s changes are challenging, making sure that no matter how frequently you’re talking, it’s time well spent.
2. Practice aggressive optimism.
When I retired from the NFL, I didn’t know what to do. I got a little depressed. I even went to therapy to talk things out. Talking with others makes all the difference, but so does your attitude. Optimism is like sunlight for plants. We stand taller and stronger when it’s a part of our days. Navigating transitions is difficult, whether they’re career-focused, personal, or financial. Don’t sacrifice being realistic, but don’t assume the glass is half-empty. Keeping an optimistic outlook matters.
My son is showing interest in kicking for his football team, so I’ve been preaching aggressive optimism to him. A big part of execution is believing that you’ll make the kick. When you stand over that ball, you have to envision it splitting the uprights before you take your first step. You prepared for this kick; now hit it with confidence. In the same way, approaching your transition with optimism sets you up for success more than pessimism. Trust that the things you’ve gone through in life to this point have helped you prepare for this transition.
3. Build strong faith.
We pray every night with our sons. We try to do it in the morning, but it’s a bit tougher because that time of day is so rushed. But we want our kids to know that we care for them and so does God. Having a firm footing in your faith means we can face new challenges with confidence, because no matter what shifts in life, God doesn’t change. That’s a comfort during transitions, which are all about change.
Finding a solid foundation in life is vital, and it can’t just be all on you. Your body will fail. Your abilities will too. You need to stand on something firmer than yourself. God is that for my family. Think deeply about your foundation in life. Whatever that is, it will be what you fall back on during times of transition. For us, our strong faith provides the stability we can trust to outlast any present or future transition.
Sound off: What transition in your life are you most grateful for?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is the hardest change you’ve had to go through?”