Looking closely at the 2024 Olympics, whether you’re a die-hard fan, a spectacle enthusiast, or a passionate supporter of a team, nation, or specific athlete, offers numerous opportunities for reflection and observation on human nature: managing failure, handling stress, preparation, dealing with victory, communication, team spirit, and many other aspects.
Let’s take a closer look at what these athletes from all nationalities, cultures, generations, or experiences can teach us about the key factors of mental strength, that indisputable and “magical” ingredient that makes a difference at critical moments in our lives.
Stress, pressure, and stakes—whether individual, collective, media-covered, or more discreet—are similar to what we experience in our professional lives:
- Taking on more significant responsibilities
- Changing positions in a new company
- Deciding whether to stay or leave a difficult or even toxic professional situation for the unknown
- During a prolonged or more complex than expected professional transition
- Creating a professional project or starting your own business
- Making strategic decisions for your company
Of course, when everything is going well, there is no pressure, no major stress or changes, and everything runs smoothly. We feel invincible and ready to conquer the world. Navigating in calm seas is easy for any captain, even a novice. We let life carry us until…
Life forces us to face the inevitable, moving from the known to the unknown, from a mastered past to an uncertain future, when what worked no longer does, when we no longer recognize our daily reality, when we lose control of our lives, and when pressure (intrinsic or extrinsic) becomes tangible and very present.
These are the moments when mental preparation makes the difference between surfing the wave or drowning in the tsunami of change.
Being Aware of Your Deep Source of Energy
Do you remember what enabled you to accomplish something admirable in your childhood? For some, it was the appreciation and love of their parents; for others, it was doing it together with friends; for others, it was the pride that remained after the feat.
Tip: Ask yourself what REALLY matters to you… glory, team spirit, the appreciation of loved ones, pleasure, flow… sincerely, deeply. Identify this source of motivation and use it as fuel in moments of doubt. Create a vision board or a motivation journal where you write your past successes and future goals. Revisit it regularly to remind yourself why you fight and what you want to accomplish.
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and Taking Risks
Comfort can bring many emotions but little evolution and capacity to face adversity. The idea here is not to jump into the void without a parachute but to regularly go beyond your habits, venture into unexplored paths, and dare.
Tip: Clarify what is comfortable for you and ask yourself: what would be the next step, a little further, higher, faster? Make an action plan to take calculated risks. For example, if public speaking scares you, start with small groups before moving on to larger crowds. Every risk taken, no matter how small, strengthens your ability to manage uncertainty and evolve.
Developing Curiosity and Changing Your Perspective
There is not one but many realities, each filtering their reality through their values, intentions, needs, or desires. Considering a new approach with curiosity, open-mindedness, and without prejudice allows you to discover hidden talents, new possibilities, and unexplored aptitudes.
Tip: Engage in activities or subjects that are completely new to you. Make it a habit to explore new things, take different paths, and discover themes outside your ordinary routine. This can not only broaden your horizons but also offer you unprecedented perspectives that can be applied to your main field. Changing your perspective begins with curiosity and develops through experience.
Cultivating a Positive Approach to Everyday Life
The glass half full, you know it? Constantly focusing on what you lack, on everything you would like but do not have yet, makes your brain register that nothing is right, that YOU are not okay, that your life is full of lacks, of not enough. Make room for the positive! Out with the negative!
Tip: Take a few minutes in the morning or just before bed to note three things you are grateful for. Recognize everything you have, starting with the fact that you are alive, that you have plenty of things that are not usual for others. Practice gratitude regularly. This simple exercise can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have, fostering a more positive outlook.
Surrounding Yourself with Inspiring People
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So why not choose to surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you rather than those who bring you down? A good athlete becomes better by training with a more performant one… don’t play small, aim high and loud.
Tip: Meet people who are ahead in your field, your profession, or new fields you want to explore. Seek mentors or role models and do not hesitate to ask for advice; be ready to learn from their experiences. Inspiring people can offer new perspectives, innovative ideas, and invaluable moral support.
Building on the Present
The present is all you have. What you do now, here, is what builds your future. ALWAYS. It’s not just Kung Fu Panda who talks about the present moment as a gift!
Tip: To anchor yourself in the present, explore your senses with discipline: observe nature closely, listen to the nearest or farthest sounds, feel what’s in your body, what smells surround you? This practice helps reduce anxiety and increases your ability to distance yourself from painful emotions that cloud your perception.
Establishing Habits with Consistency and Repetition
Your brain is not designed to change its habits, so give it a boost by introducing small daily habits that can lead to significant long-term results. Like a drop of water that eventually cracks the rock. Consistency and repetition are key to transforming small actions into powerful and lasting habits.
Tip: Start your day with positive rituals that put you in a good mood and prepare you to face the day. This could include a meditation session, a short exercise routine, or reading a few pages of an inspiring book. Don’t overdo it, but do it regularly, daily, until it becomes instinctive.
Seeking Help from an Experienced Coach
The pride of “doing it alone,” the perception that if you managed in the past you can go to the next level the same way, the idea that it’s not that complicated are beliefs and excuses that hinder you and only postpone what could be done now.
Tip: Every good athlete has a good coach, every successful entrepreneur has an experienced mentor, every professional exploring new horizons surrounds themselves with a coach suited to their situation. Don’t wait for things to become unmanageable to seek help. Investing in quality coaching can be the best investment you make for your personal and professional development.
Conclusion
Mental strength is a major asset for navigating the storms of your professional life. By following these tips inspired by Olympic champions, you will be better prepared to face challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive. So, ready to become the champion of your own life?
P.S. Want to discover your mental strength and implement actions that suit you? Schedule a free discovery session to uncover your beliefs and fears, followed by a privileged exchange with me by clicking here.
