In many ways, businesses are like sports. In addition to giving your best, you’ll have to endure countless gruelling and challenges that come your way. Here are 5 takeaways from professional athletes and how you can translate their success into entrepreneurial endeavours.
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#1 The Best Player Doesn’t Make the Best Captain
It takes more than technical skills to lead a company to success. Likewise in sports, the basketball player with the most talent doesn’t make him the best candidate for a captain. Take Tim Duncan for instance – while he may not be a household name like Lebron James or Stephen Curry, the ex-captain of San Antonio Spurs has led his team to 5 championships in his 9-year stint, a truly remarkable feat. Beyond playing his best, the basketball player is said to work tirelessly to inspire his team to greater heights.
Similarly, the ability to adopt a positive attitude, to keep your emotions in check, to power through challenges and to motivate your team is equally important – both on and off the court.
#2 Never Give Up
When the odds are stacked against you, it’s tempting to walk away. From worrying about finances to dealing with a manpower crunch, the entrepreneurship journey is filled with challenges and at times, find yourself a little stretched.
However, instead of nursing a broken spirit, Singaporean rock climber Lynette Koh came back stronger – despite fracturing her spinal cord from a bad fall. After two surgeries and an on-going recovery process, the athlete completed two Half Ironman (a triathlon) approximately a year after the accident. The now triathlete went on to complete the full Ironman Triathlon in October 2019 and a few months later, conquered a Grade 8A rock climbing route in Greece – a climbing grade accomplished by less than 10 Singaporean women.
The moral of this inspiring story? Never stop persevering – especially when pursuing something you truly believe in. No matter the challenge, the impossible can be made possible if you put your heart into it.
#3 Rise Above The Negativity
Especially so for entrepreneurs who are just starting on their journey, it’s common to face negativity. Ranging from “your idea isn’t new” to “you’re not ready” to “so many others before you have tried and failed”, doubts about your business will be constantly cast your way – and like Serena Williams, the only thing left to do is to rise above.
With 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, tennis player Serena Williams is widely recognised for her talent on the court. What makes her more formidable, however, is her aptness to take racist and sexist comments, and scrutiny about her body size and shape, in her stride Instead of backing down, she ignored the naysayers and went on to dominate the courts.
So instead of being bogged down by the negativity, choose to rise above and focus on building your business.
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#4 Enjoy What You’re Doing
It’s important to be able to enjoy what you’re doing, especially when you’re in it for the long haul. Not only will this attribute serve as a reminder of why you started the business, but it’ll also help tide you over the toughest of challenges.
Gregor Vezonik may not be the world’s number one climber, but his ability to maintain a smile even in the face of fierce competition and tough boulders is admirable. The Slovenian athlete truly enjoys the sport and by doing so, is able to persevere through the problems. The 25-year-old’s passion eventually paid off when he won his first World Cup in Munich in 2018.
Essentially, doing something you love will motivate you to work harder for it.
#5 Dream Big
There are no mountains too high to climb, oceans too deep to dive into, or goals too big to achieve. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian, is the perfect testament to why you should never be afraid to dream big.
When Michael announced his aim of beating the record for the most first-place finishes in a single Olympics, he was met with mostly disbelief and even scorn. 8 record-breaking gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics later, the professional swimmer proved how ambitions can help motivate results.
As long as you have your heart set on your goals, no one will be able to stop you from achieving them – no matter how impossible they may seem.
While it may seem like a competition, success is about believing in and focusing on yourself – something that is achieved independently of others. Ultimately, it’s about pouring your heart into your business, dusting yourself off when you fall before going at the game with whatever you got.
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