Lessons from Olympic athletes that we can learn from

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Lessons from Olympic athletes that we can learn from

With the Olympics upon us, we as a country look forward to watching elite athletes battle it out for medals and break records, but there is so much more to it, athletes during this period put on a show of determination, teamwork, leadership and perseverance. While we may not be sprinting down a track or swimming laps we can take some valuable lessons about elite performance and bring it into our everyday lives. Here are some of the favourite lessons from Olympic athletes and how you can incorporate them into your life to get a new edge both personally and professionally. 

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you greater than any obstacle.”
— Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast 

The term ‘nobody is going to believe in yourself but you’, comes to mind when we hear this, and in the workplace having self-confidence to succeed is often strongly correlated with performance.  A person with low self-confidence is usually more likely to doubt themselves allowing others to begin questioning their credibility and the ability to complete their role. Those with higher self-confidence are more likely to try new things, rebound better after failure and become more persistent in the face of obstacles. Now, you can’t just flick a switch and automatically have self-confidence, it’s a skill that needs practice and work. Some easy ways to help build self-confidence are knowing your strengths and honestly acknowledging your weaknesses. Find ways to incorporate everyday strengths in your day-to-day, this will help you stay motivated and self-assured.  Learn from your mistakes, take time to work out what went wrong and reflect on how you may change this in the future our final tip for boosting your self-confidence is to constantly work on improving your skill set. Investing in personal growth and development means you can take on new challenges and feel more confident in your ability. 

“Confidence comes from preparation and believing in your training.”
— Ariane Titmus, Olympic swimmer 

It’s not a well-kept secret, more like an age-old saying but it doesn’t make it any less true. Preparation is a large part of success, it allows you to feel more confident, increases productivity and allows you to have a sense of accomplishment. Being prepared means you are ready for anything that comes your way, a proactive response instead of reactive. Some other ways that preparation can benefit your everyday life are it acts as a timesaver, increases productivity, and decreases the feeling of stress and overwhelm. Ways to feel more prepared during the workday can start with tackling the hardest challenge first allowing you to feel more prepared for what comes ahead no matter how difficult. We also recommend taking time to master the basics, mastering these simple tasks allows you to work more efficiently and effectively over the long run. Our final point in preparation is to plan for change and be prepared to roll with the punches.

“Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”
— Yusuf Dikeç, Olympic shooter

We often admire the success of others without fully acknowledging and appreciating all the unseen hard work behind it. While hard work can be challenging, it’s essential for producing strong results and reaching those accomplishments in your mind. Motivation is a key driver behind hard work, whether your goals are intrinsic or extrinsic, identifying what inspires you and your team is crucial for success. To boost your motivation, consider starting your day with your most important task. Accomplishing your hardest task early on can set a positive tone and make you more inclined to tackle other tasks. Creating a to-do list can help you stay focused and motivated. Checking off items on your list throughout the day will provide a sense of achievement and keep you on track. To stay motivated we also recommend setting aside the time to set goals for yourself and the team. Whether it be personal or professional, goals are a way to stay connected with the bigger picture and give you a place to check in on your progress. Not sure where to start with goal setting, we have a blog post that delves into setting goals that will actually stick. Our final tip for staying motivated to work hard is knowing when to give yourself a break, these breaks let your brain reset and rest, helping you focus more when the time comes. Although it sounds counterproductive, taking breaks helps you reset and allows you to work harder when you return. 

“We work on the process to excel and to perform, but one of the hardest things to do is to really enjoy the moment, we sometimes forget to do that.”
— Ahmed Kelly, Paralympic swimmer

Taking time to appreciate the small wins and successes can greatly impact both personal and team satisfaction. Enjoying the moment and taking the time to celebrate your successes serves as a motivation booster, and increases job satisfaction. When your team knows that their contributions are valued this can have a positive impact on team culture and helps to build strong foundations. Ways that we love acknowledging each other’s accomplishments can be as simple as a verbal thank you, or well done. Team celebrations in the form of organising a lunch or dinner can also be a great way to show appreciation and can act as a team bonding experience. And remember enjoying your wins is just as important as the hard work that goes into getting to the finish line. 

My game isn’t defined by points, it’s more.”
— Patty Mills, Olympic basketball player 

We often tend to only look at the wins in life and only count the positives towards growth. While celebrating success is important, there is the benefit of looking beyond just the points, instead at the whole. Failure often seems frightening and unwelcome, but no growth comes without it. Removing the fear of failure increases your willingness to try new things. Embracing failure shifts your mindset from being afraid to exploring new possibilities. It allows you to learn from your mistakes, becoming stronger and more resilient. Additionally, failure fosters creativity, encouraging both you and your team to think outside the box. By taking risks and facing failures, you gain valuable skills in innovation and problem-solving, leading to breakthroughs in any field. Failure also builds resilience, teaching you and your team to recover from setbacks and continue moving forward. It’s a crucial part of the journey toward growth and success. 

“I always try and make everyone feel welcome, and by being who I am, allow them to be who they are. I think that’s the most beautiful part of sport, all these different people coming together to achieve something great.”
— Sam Kerr, Olympic soccer player

Teamwork and collaboration are essential for success, they encourage individual growth and help build stronger relationships, enhance workplace satisfaction, boost productivity and facilitate smarter risk-taking. Each person brings unique strengths and weaknesses to the table, and when combined this array of different perspectives and skills can aid in better outcomes. Although collaboration might not seem like a traditional skill, there are practical ways to nurture it. First, practice self-awareness by being clear about your own needs and expectations, and communicating them effectively. For tips on improving communication styles, check out our blog on improving communication skills in the workplace. Address issues directly and with an open mind, this means practising forgiveness and being willing to apologise for mistakes. Maintaining respect, positivity and enthusiasm can greatly influence team dynamics. While timing and context matter, fostering an optimistic environment can enhance engagement and help your team recover more quickly from setbacks.

So, these have been our favourite takeaways from some iconic Olympic athletes. As they continue to compete for medals while we watch in admiration, we can apply their wisdom to our own lives and excel in our own ways. If you enjoyed this blog, let us know us know on social media or email [email protected]