--- title: "Career Realities: The Brutal Truth About Your Sports Future" description: "Stop chasing false dreams. I provide a brutal, honest assessment of your sports career potential and help you build a necessary backup plan. Face the reality now." canonical: https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/career-realities-the-backup-plan last_updated: 2025-09-16 --- # Career Realities: The Brutal Truth About Your Sports Future Tribe Verified · Decades of experience, zero fake promises. By [Ravi Chhikara](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance) · At RV Sports Performance facility in GTB Nagar, New Delhi · ₹1,200 per session (estimate) Part of [Sports Psychology & Athlete Mentorship](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/gallery) Sports is a high-risk gamble, not a fairy tale. Stop hiding behind 'passion' and face the reality of your progress. I’m here to tell you when to push and when to have a backup plan. ## Photos and videos - [Video: There are two paths to success: either you are god's chosen one, or you learn every single detail of your field. There are no shortcuts. The more you learn, the more confident you become and the longer you can sustain your success.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0a816792-a5e2-4dec-9f45-7bc94d9b1fd1) - [Video: In academics, you know if you've failed at the end of the year. In sports, there's no such exam, so you can fool yourself for years. I stress the importance of being aware of your progress and getting an honest second opinion.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5cd67ce1-fb66-4f3b-a7b1-52835a149421) - [Video: Being at the right place at the right time is called luck, and it plays a huge role in cricket. Since you can't control luck, you must control what you can: having a backup plan. This will allow you to pursue cricket with less pressure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d9046ac8-bbe2-4c0b-91e8-141f3339eb4f) - [Video: When joining an academy, don't decide for yourself if you are a batsman or a bowler. Work with a good coach for a few months to identify your true abilities. This will save you years of wasted effort in the wrong direction.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d56670bb-c927-427e-a0a7-478c1c830d21) - [Video: All Delhi academies are after school, so why are kids skipping school? An educated athlete is a smarter athlete. I urge parents to ensure their kids balance both, as it helps in making better career decisions later in life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b09bcbc6-10fd-4519-8748-8d0102dd9130) - [Video: Athletes claim they give 24 hours to cricket, but they waste most of it on phones and roaming around. I break down the daily schedule to show that there is plenty of time for both education and cricket if you cut out the luxury time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b1df2664-305f-4890-81b9-5f042911a743) - [Video: The IPL auction is an eye-opener and a gamble. Good players go unsold, and average players get huge money. This proves that cricket offers no guarantees. I reiterate the need for a backup skill or education to secure your life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1b85f216-f682-4477-aef4-22b98609efb2) - [Video: Your competition isn't the best player in your academy. It's the player currently holding the spot you want in the Indian or state team. I explain why you need to align your standards and work ethic with those at the highest level.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/200ac90a-5055-4f2a-a407-bd9d575e9ae1) - [Video: The goal used to be playing for India, now it's just playing in the state premier league. I warn players against lowering their ambitions. Keep your aim high, but have a solid backup plan. Don't turn this passionate sport into a low-paying job.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/41ec66ce-6446-49cd-947c-d67424afcc19) - [Video: In school, you know when you fail a grade. In sports, you can waste 8-10 years without realizing you're not progressing. I urge young players to be brutally honest with themselves about their progress to avoid a lifetime of regret.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/effb6488-594a-4dc6-844c-88c51204dc0d) - [Video: This is Mani Grewal. He didn't get picked in the auction but he progressed through the year, from net bowler to the U23 probables. He deserves another year. I advise players to honestly assess their progress each December to decide if they should continue.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c91b2de-59a6-4579-997b-9e5bdec0e13a) - [Video: Only 1% of athletes make it to the top. The other 99% fail in their sport. My goal is to ensure that this 99% doesn't also fail in life. This is why I am so vocal about having a backup plan.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bab59cf2-2836-4c18-a120-364180871f82) - [Video: Even the richest businessmen like Ambani and Tata diversify their income. Why should an athlete rely on a single, risky source? I explain why having a backup plan is a smart strategy that even the most successful people follow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/17032c56-dba8-449b-975b-35a0213ebe7f) - [Video: At 16 or 17, top players are already making a name for themselves. If you haven't shown that caliber by this age, the chances of making it are slim. It's a hard truth, but facing it early can save you from a life of struggle.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/21002fe6-66f0-4793-8bcb-cd8c9a02f169) ## About Career Realities & The Backup Plan Most academies won't tell you this, but 99% of athletes don't make it to the top. If you are 16 or 17 and haven't made a mark on the state circuit, the clock is ticking. I don’t want you to wake up at 25 with no skills and no backup plan. We need to look at your actual progress, your game, and your life outside of the sport right now, before your 'luxury time' eats up your future. ### Face the Truth Cricket and sports are not just about training harder, they are about understanding the game of life. I’ve seen kids waste years chasing state league spots while ignoring their education, only to realize too late that they have no safety net. You need to stop living in a bubble. ### The 16-Year-Old Reality Check If you haven't made a name for yourself by 16 or 17, your chances of playing professional cricket are slim to none. This isn't negativity, it is a fact. The guys holding the spots you want are already making waves. If you aren't in that bracket, you need to pivot. ### Why You Need a Backup Even if you make it to the IPL, one injury can end it all. Look at the auction data, look at the success rates—this is a massive gamble. My mentorship involves a brutal audit of your potential. We will discuss: * **Genetic Reality:** Are you chasing speed you aren't built for? * **The 24-Hour Audit:** How much of your day is actually spent on training versus scrolling through Instagram? * **Skill vs. Luck:** Learning that you cannot control the selection process, but you can control your backup career. Don't treat sports as your only job. Treat it as a passion, but secure your life with a skill or education. I am not here to de-motivate you; I am here to save you from years of regret. ## About Ravi Chhikara I’m not here to sell you dreams of becoming the next superstar. I’ve seen enough talent go to waste because of fake promises and lack of awareness. My job is to wake you up, audit your reality, and help you build a life that doesn’t depend on a single, fragile dream. [See all of Ravi Chhikara's services](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance) ## More from Sports Psychology & Athlete Mentorship by Ravi Chhikara - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/featured) - [Straight Talk for Parents](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/straight-talk-for-parents) - [The "Pace Mafia" Files: Debunking Industry Frauds](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/the-pace-mafia-files-debunking-industry-frauds) - [Mindset of a Champion](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/mindset-of-a-champion) - [The Grind: Training & Discipline](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/the-grind-training-discipline) - [Inside the Academy: Announcements & Successes](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/sports-psychology-athlete-mentorship/inside-the-academy-announcements-successes) ## More services by Ravi Chhikara - [Cricket Coaching](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/cricket-coaching) - [Strength & Conditioning for Athletes](https://mytribe.in/rvsportsperformance/strength-conditioning-for-athletes) ## Similar work from other experts - [Your Tennis Career: Building a Future Beyond the Court](https://mytribe.in/arnaaav_/tennis-career-college-placement/your-career-beyond-just-playing) by Arnav Alok Goel · Tennis Career & College Placement · Online & across India; In-person at Barakhamba Road & Mehrauli - [The Dancepreneur's Playbook: Real Career Advice for Dancers](https://mytribe.in/meghasampat/dancer-career-development-placement/the-dancepreneur-s-playbook) by Megha Sampat Kini · Dancer Career Development & Placement · Available online and across India; Office in Thane West - [My Journey from Corporate Burnout to Athlete](https://mytribe.in/thrivewithmegha/strength-conditioning-for-endurance-athletes/the-journey-mindset) by Megha Kishore · Strength & Conditioning for Endurance Athletes · In-person training across Delhi NCR - [Nurturing Future Champions: Grassroots Athletics Coaching](https://mytribe.in/narendra_coach_/running-event-management/nurturing-future-champions) by Narendra Chaudhary · Running Event Management · Organizes running events across Delhi and pan-India - [The Coach’s Playbook: Sports Science & Performance Insights](https://mytribe.in/nahak_ranjit/professional-development-for-coaches/the-coach-s-playbook-my-video-series) by Ranjit Nahak · Professional Development for Coaches · Available online and in-person across India - [Scientific Sports Training & Performance Insights](https://mytribe.in/athleteslab44/strength-and-conditioning-training/educational-insights) by Athletes Lab · Strength and Conditioning Training · Visit centers in Gurugram & Bhiwani; Available across NCR ## Book To book Ravi Chhikara, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Yaar%2C%20I%20saw%20the%20'Career%20Realities'%20page.%20I%20need%20a%20brutal%2C%20honest%20audit%20of%20my%20progress.%20When%20can%20we%20talk%3F) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. 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