I have often wondered about the characteristics that lead to an Olympic attitude and the winning characteristics of professional athletes. I am even more surprised when I see one of these individuals succeed in a brand new environment. For instance, put a skating champion or a football star on Dancing with the Stars and they still come out on top! I am huge fan of reality television and predicting human behavior. Whenever I see a true athlete I automatically think “that will be the winner.” I’ve come to realize that it is more than just the sport they are in. The drive to succeed is in them, no matter where they find themselves. I see this same drive and potential for success with business owners. Do you have what it takes to run a business like an Olympian? Below are five of the secrets that make Olympians true winners!
- Practice, practice, and practice some more! We’ve all heard of the importance of practice. I’m talking about going beyond the normal daily lesson. Driven people are immersed in what they do. They are consumed and maybe even obsessed by it. They live and breathe it. They watch videos of themselves. They learn from people they emulate and look within themselves to get better and better and better.
- Take risks and have guts. Anyone who has ever achieved an unbelievable feat took a risk somewhere. It may have meant believing in themselves at their core and reaching out to someone who could help, but also reject them; picking up and moving to a new state where the resources might be more plentiful; or investing their heart, soul, and savings into what they do. Those are risks that are full of conviction.
- Blood, sweat, and tears. Be willing to sacrifice. Achieving greatness doesn’t come easy for anyone. If it were easy, everyone would be great. Those who achieve greatness have sacrificed a lot to get where they are. Top athletes remember practicing their sport for countless hours, learning and growing while giving up typical childhood activities. The same is true in running a business. At least in the beginning, there are a lot of sacrifices.
- Do what it takes. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. That doesn’t mean it is easy. It means finding a way to make it happen. There are solutions to any obstacle if you look hard enough. Most people spend so much time focusing on what isn’t working that they can’t envision what they need to do to make it happen. Successful athletes reach out, connect, use supports, and set a vision to achieve their goal. A challenge is just part of the process. Figure out a way around it. It doesn’t matter what type of obstacle is involved – money, relationships, time, etc. – there is always a way around it. Adopt an attitude of embracing adversity. Bring it!
- Burning desire. You must have true belief in yourself – an inner drive and an inner knowing – that you can do it! Your courage and vision for what is possible will instantly inspire other people. There is great strength of character in the undeniable belief in your own dreams, your ability to just know and then just do.
Take a look at yourself and determine where you are on these five keys. Where do you need to focus to fulfill your dreams? Now get going.
