»It’s a balancing act«
Pavlos Dakoutros on his IT career and life as an athlete
From code to competition
Balancing the intense demands of two highly specialised fields may seem impossible, but Pavlos Dakoutros, an Associate IT Business Analyst at Netcompany in Athens and a modern pentathlon champion with European and world distinctions, made it a reality. However, this achievement required an unwavering focus on what truly mattered.
»Prioritising what matters most and structuring my day ensures that both areas receive the attention they need. The key is staying focused and organised, making sure no time is wasted and every task is handled efficiently and effectively.«
Pavlos’ relentless dedication to sports has earned him international recognition, including becoming the first Greek pentathlete in 15 years to qualify for the European Championship finals. He has won numerous titles, with his most recent achievement being silver and bronze medals in the World Championship in Pentathlon Masters, held in Hungary.
Bridging IT skills and pentathlon mastery
The skills Pavlos has developed in both his IT career and the pentathlon are deeply interconnected.
»In IT, you need to combine various skills under changing constraints while constantly adapting to new technologies and environments. The same goes for the pentathlon, where each of the five sports presents its own unique set of requirements and challenges.«
Pavlos also credits his professional life with helping him build the mental endurance required to excel in sports.
»In IT, high-pressure situations demand quick problem-solving and focus under tight deadlines, which strengthens my mental resilience.«
»The ability to stay calm and focused, even when things don’t go as planned, helps me recover from setbacks and quickly correct course«
Pavlos Dakoutros
Balancing professional life with a demanding training schedule
»It’s a balancing act,« Pavlos admits. His day begins with early morning training sessions, followed by a full workday of IT consulting. After work, he returns to his main training program to prepare for the demanding challenges of the pentathlon. This routine requires not just physical discipline, but also a high commitment to time management.
»Netcompany fosters an environment where employees are encouraged to pursue their passions while excelling in their careers. Netcompany has provided the flexibility I need to manage both roles, giving me the freedom to pursue my athletic goals without compromising my professional career – a privilege I deeply value.«
»I believe true growth comes from embracing challenges outside our comfort zone. It's the development of new skill sets and diverse experiences that have shaped me into a more capable and complete individual.«
The importance of staying composed when under pressure
Managing stress and maintaining peak performance is not easy, but Pavlos has developed a clear strategy to stay on track.
»When preparing for major competitions, I break everything down into small, manageable steps. It keeps me calm and focused on the task at hand, allowing me to perform better when it matters most,« he explains.
»Whether in the office or in the arena, the ability to stay composed under pressure is crucial. By staying organised and tackling challenges methodically, I can reduce stress and focus on doing my best.«
