Guess what? This time the power button broke as soon as it hit the floor. It flashed on and off on sleep mode, and I couldn't power it either on or off. Here I was in Copenhagen, Denmark, spending some of the time I'd planned to sightsee… taking my computer in to the shop.

Categorizing Regrets

In his book "The Power of Regret," Daniel H. Pink writes about the upside of one of our less pleasant emotions, regret. Regrets are common and painful, but they can also be surprisingly motivating.

Pink conducted research on regret and determined from his very sizeable surveys that regrets can be categorized depending on their focus, rather than on their content.

For example, one person might regret not going to university while another regrets not proposing to a girlfriend – but both are essentially regretting a lack of boldness.

Many regrets focus on actions not taken, though some focus on deeds done. In each case, we can take inspiration from our regrets to live, in the future, in ways that more fully reflect our desires.

At Least…

In the case of actions taken, Pink says that we can make efforts to undo their damage if possible. My poor laptop is now sitting in a shop in the U.K., waiting for diagnosis and repair. Whether it gets up and running again, or whether I end up needing to buy a new laptop, I'll be cautious about when I use it and where I put it!

We can also make ourselves better with "at least" statements – acknowledging to ourselves that the outcome could have been worse. At least I had my work laptop with me. At least I hadn't broken it on my previous trip, where it was my one and only computer. And at least I had saved most of my important documents to the cloud so was able to access them there.

I'm a little clumsy. I probably always will be. But I can strive to be more mindful in the future to take care of my technology, rather than thoughtlessly hauling it around.

To Regret Is Human

In the 1980s cartoon "The Last Unicorn" (based on Peter S. Beagle's novel), a unicorn is transformed into a human, falls in love, and is eventually returned to her original form. She gains an appreciation of human emotions, including the bittersweet ones.

In the end, she says to the magician responsible for the transformation, "No unicorn was ever born who could regret, but I do. I regret." Then, rather than getting angry at the magician, she thanks him.

Pink writes that regret makes us human. And with its power to impact our future choices, it makes us better.

Listen to Our "Power of Regret" Book Insight

We review the best new business books and the tested classics in our monthly Book Insights, available as text or as 15-minute audio recordings.

So, if you're a Mind Tools Club member or corporate user, listen to the "Power of Regret" Book Insight now!

If you haven't already signed up, join the Mind Tools Club and gain access to our 2,400+ resources, including 390+ Book Insights. For corporate licensing, ask for a demo with one of our team.

About the Author

Melanie has worked as a writer, freelance and in-house editor, university writing instructor, and language teacher. She is the author of a short story collection, "Dream Signs," and a nonfiction book, "The Modern Enneagram." Melanie has written for several publications including Huffington Post, Cicada, and Contrary Magazine. And she is a certified teacher of the Enneagram, a personality typology that illuminates people's core motivations.

The post I Might Regret Writing This Blog  appeared first on Mind Tools.

With the team locker room looking like a field hospital, Pacino delivered the kind of speeches that made his bloodied, battered players ready to die for him:

"You find out life's this game of inches; so is football. Because in either game – life or football – the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half a step too late or too early, and you don't quite make it."

As he said, "I'm still willing to fight and die for that inch, because that's what living is." The hard yards. And he had counsel for bosses everywhere: "That's what a leader's about: sacrifice. The times he's gotta sacrifice because he's gotta lead, by example. Not by fear and not by self-pity."

These maxims don't just apply to American Football. In sports, in life, at work – getting, being and staying motivated is fundamental to success, however you define it. It's fundamental to happiness, too.

Quitters Never Win

Sports provide an avalanche of reasons why you should get your metaphorical pads on, your head down, and smash into life. What have you got to lose? New York Jets quarterback, Joe Namath, had a question we can all ask ourselves: "If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"

Storied Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi surely had it right, too, when he said, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." Or, as the Sultan of Swat, baseball hero Babe Ruth put it, "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." Ain't that the truth.

So, which one are you? Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Tommy Lasorda, had people divided into three camps: "Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened." Harsh, but fair. And funny.

Opportunities in Sports and in Life

One of my favorite advertisements of all time features Michael Jordan shooting hoops in the gym on his own and missing everything from everywhere. Cut to the tagline, "I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

As basketball coach, player, and broadcaster Jim Valvano put it, "Failure and rejection are only the first step to succeeding."

How you respond to setbacks is vital. And no one responded like the Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey. He came up the hard way, and he wasn't going back.

Before his post-World War I heyday, the heavyweight king of the ring was so poor he rode the rails tied underneath the train. No surprise, then, he knew what it took: "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." Beautiful.

Life is also about making the most of your opportunities. Ice hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky made sure he did. "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take," he said. Well, I guess you can't argue with that.

Sporting Luck or Hard Work?

Excuses? Left it too late? Here's a gentle reminder from Tom Landry, who was Dallas Cowboys coach for 29 years: "Today, you have 100 percent of your life left." You do the math.

Tim Notke was "only" a high school basketball coach. But he was an NBA MVP when it came to motivation: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Hall of Fame college football coach Lou Holtz added another ingredient into the prosperity pie: "Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period."

And attitude was always part of tennis legend Martina Navratilova's recipe: "Whoever said, 'It's not whether you win or lose that counts,' probably lost." They probably did.

Or how about this serve and volley from sports phenomenon Serena Williams: "Overpower. Overtake. Overcome." Not one mention of luck. Well, not unless you're golf great Gary Player, who found that "the harder I work, the luckier I get."

Trample Fear Beneath Your Feet

Bobby Unser won the Indianapolis 500 three times. He was driven by the motto, "Success is where preparation and opportunity meet."

Mario Andretti is one of only two drivers, along with fellow American Dan Gurney, to have won races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR. The quiet life was never something he wanted: "If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough."

You have to be brave, too: "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." Muhammad Ali wasn't The Greatest for nothing.

And never think about getting in Nadia Comaneci's way. The Romanian gymnast won five Olympic golds, getting a fistful of perfect 10s along the way. She declared, "I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet."

These people are good, but Shakespeare wrote the book. "To be or not to be: that is the question." Write your own happy ending.

More (Non-Sports) Resources

For more inspiration and practical tips, see Mind Tools' toolkits for motivating yourself and motivating your team.

How do you get motivated for Monday morning? What sayings or quotes have guided your life? Share your thoughts and experiences below!

The post Any Given Monday – Sports and the Modern Workplace appeared first on Mind Tools.

"Greatness is inspiring others to be their best."

About This Week's Chat

I recently read a book that truly inspired me, about all the teachers one boy had when he was growing up. Darren was often the smallest boy in his class. His parents were poor, his school uniform didn't always fit perfectly. He wasn't good at sport and often felt like the odd one out.

What Darren had, though, was a brilliant mind. He also had a gift for speaking, and for singing, and a love of people. However, as a small boy he didn't know that yet. So it took ordinary teachers, going about their work with extraordinary love and care, to unlock his gifts.

Darren writes about how his teachers had such an impact on him, and how it would last a lifetime. When I think back about the book, I don't recall reading about any one of them who did anything huge or truly extraordinary. Instead, their greatness was in their way of being.

Inspiring Others by Simply Being

These teachers were passionate about teaching the young Darren. They spoke affirming words, acknowledged his strengths, and encouraged him to always do his best.

Darren experienced how their kindness changed him. He knew that they wanted the best for him. And because of the impression those teachers left, Darren decided that he wanted to become a teacher, too.

Today, Darren August is a corporate trainer, coach and motivational speaker. He's passionate about helping others to unleash their potential, because he was inspired by teachers who helped him to unleash his.

Attitude Is All

His book made me think of ordinary people in my life who have inspired me, and still do. I have a colleague whose extraordinary journey of self-discovery is a major inspiration to be the best version of me that I can be.

Another colleague coped with a life-threatening disease. She was so calm and positive, and approached everything in the most practical way she could. She taught me that you can handle anything with the right attitude.

And one of my best friends started a new life with nothing but a vision, a strong work ethic, and the willingness to learn. None of those are extraordinary talents, but the way he put them to work was both extraordinary and inspiring.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

During our #MTtalk Twitter chat this week, we discussed inspiring others by just "being." Here are the questions we asked, and some of the responses we received:

Q1. Has anyone ever inspired you to change your life in a significant way just by who they were? What was their role in your life?

@GThakore My uncle became my mentor when I was struggling after my engineering studies... he inspired me to change my thought process and attitude.

@SabrinaCadini When I look back at my life journey, I realize many people around me (starting with my parents, family, friends, colleagues, etc.) shaped who I am year after year. The bigger the community, the stronger the influences and the effects.

Q2. How were they "being"? What did you see in them that inspired you?

@Singh_Vandana Staying grounded, honest, in self-control while being in a position of authority. Helping those in need.

@carriemaslen I've seen so many positive traits from the people who have influenced me, including resiliency, humility, grace, perseverance, kindness, open-mindedness.

Q3. How can feeling inspired change a person's life?

@itstamaragt Feeling inspired can help a person take effective action. When people are inspired, they are often more determined and driven.

@SanabriaJav Feeling inspired adds purpose and motivation to a person's life, which can be a force for good.

Q4. Whose words have inspired you, and how?

@MicheleDD_MT Myles Horton. He was an adult educator who founded the Highlander School in the USA. Helped people & communities to embrace their power & create social change.

@SizweMoyo A friend of mine reminded me that we're all equal in the world and that I also deserve some respect and dignity. That has helped me to be able to stand up, speak up and be heard.

Q5. Do you have to go beyond the call of duty to be inspiring? Why or why not?

@harrisonia No, you don't have to go beyond the call of duty to be inspiring; just be yourself authentically. Putting on airs to influence others yields a short reward, not necessarily inspiration.

@hopegovind Yes, it's because you show the way, you set the things right when you go beyond your call of duty. It also shows your engagement and commitment.

Q6. In your opinion, what role does excellence play in inspiring people?

@JKatzaman Those who don't strive for excellence offer little inspiration for others.

@Yolande_MT Your excellence can help others see how well they might be able to do an ordinary task. It takes you from good to great. Greatness is inspiring.

Q7. In what ways have you inspired others?

@PG_pmp Walking the talk helps to build trust and hopefully inspires others too.

@archanakra Usually sharing my own experience and my own story will inspire others especially young citizens.

Q8. In what ways do you feel a sense of responsibility when inspiring others?

@Midgie_MT I feel a sense of responsibility that I have to maintain my healthy approach to what I eat and how much I exercise. Additionally, feel as if I have to always be positive and cheery as I help others to be positive and cheery.

@YEPBusiness As a speaker of difficult things on stage #PTSD I'm conscious of not taking them to a dark place from which they cannot recover. I use comedy to deliver the message of hope and optimism. Laugh and learn is my motto.

Q9. If you are a role model, do you feel you need to be "perfect"? Explain.

@SanabriaJav Nobody is perfect. Role models just need to own their mistakes. Accountability and humility are good traits for a role model.

@harrisonia I am neither a role model nor feel the need to be perfect. I just like being efficient and getting things done right the first time. So I strive to be prepared and knowledgeable. If this demeanour inspires someone, BONUS!

Q10. What will you do more of now to inspire others?

@carriemaslen Remember there are multiple ways to inspire; from a simple smile to one stranger on a street, to captivating a room full of colleagues.

@Yolande_MT Be a force for good, speak for those who can't speak for themselves.

To read all the tweets, have a look at the Wakelet collection of this chat here.

Coming Up

Many of you will know the saying, "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." The topic of our next #MTtalk chat is, "Do. Learn. Improve." We're going to discuss how we learn and improve by doing what we've learned. In our Twitter poll this week, we'd like to know how you best learn a new skill. Please cast your vote here.

Resources

In the meantime, here are some resources relating to the topic we discussed this time (some of which may only be available in full to members of the Mind Tools Club):

Giving Praise

Using Stretch Goals With Your Team

Beyonder Creativity

Business Storytelling

New Ideas – Strategies and Techniques

Creating An Energizing Work Environment

How to Be A Good Role Model

Motivating Managers

Establishing Credibility

Transformational Leadership

Motivation

Building Trust

Authenticity

The post Inspiring Others by Simply Being – #MTtalk Roundup appeared first on Mind Tools.

You could, of course, just wait for inspiration to strike. The trouble with that is, it may never happen. Or you could wait until New Year and make the kind of resolutions that most of us never stick to. 

Wishing things were different never makes it so, you have to make it happen. On Linkedin, digital senior manager Sian Briddon is making time for change by getting behind an initiative at U.K. building society Nationwide.  

She said, "We are doing #hadago selfie-style videos – little snapshots explaining a time when we gave something a go, and it didn't necessarily go to plan.  

"Several have been recorded by exec and senior management then shared via Yammer for all to see. They are open, honest and often show vulnerability... very refreshing and although I didn't enjoy the process of recording my #hadago, I'm really glad I did!"  

Time for Fresh Ideas

U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was a big fan of fresh ideas, or as he put it, "When you're finished changing, you're finished." So, whether Northern or Southern Hemisphere, why not take your cue from nature, get in step with the seasons… and change? 

Even a little bit better is better, after all. And nature would certainly agree with the change that Mind Tools follower and food safety consultant A. Konesh is planning. He told us on LinkedIn that he will be, "Converting paper documentation to digital!"

Meanwhile, L&D specialist David Anderson is embarking on using "In-house produced podcasts as a learning tool. Interviewing the best of the best and producing to a format that is digestible that others can learn from, but can listen to in the car, on the train or whilst walking the dogs."  

Face Your Fears

Our own senior editor Charlie Swift is planning on going round mountains and not over them anymore. He said, "When faced by what feels like a daunting task, I'm going to remind myself that I've done similar things before and succeeded. That should help me to sidestep fear instead of trying to push on through it. Far easier!"

If you are unsure as to which way to jump, our article on Intentional Change Theory would be a good place to start. The article will guide you through "achieving manageable, meaningful change."  

Game on, Not Over

Engineer Charles Kettering knew a thing or two about change, having been head of research at General Motors for 27 years until 1947. His take on it was, "The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress."

Nowadays, on Twitter, it's "game on not game over" for business consultant Rafael Cortés Acosta, who told us, "I'm planning to try new approaches to our training programs with some gamification items. This will be entirely new to the whole organization."

Therapist @ot_sheffield, promised fresh ideas and tweeted, "I'd like to bring a new approach to meetings. Make them more interactive and creative, to encourage all the team to participate. Perhaps ask someone to talk about something they've done well or an idea they've had, for 5 mins at the beginning. Start off with a positive vibe."  

Dodge the Pitfalls

Changing your habits can be just as important as organizational initiatives or new processes. HR professional Nicola McCall told us, "I am going to allow space/a break and be less reactive.

"I won't jump in to speak when silence exists in a meeting nor react immediately to a request. (Unless of course I absolutely have to!)  I'll enjoy allowing what comes into the space that now exists."  

Change on whatever scale is never that easy, of course, particularly when it comes to getting other people on board. To avoid some of the pitfalls that will help your change to stick, see our article, Why Change Can Fail. 

And if you're not sure you're ready to take a fresh approach, you could always answer a question posed by author Somerset Maugham… "If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?"  

Thank you to everyone who shared their top tips! And you can still have your say, below.

The post Fresh Ideas for a New Season – Your Top Tips! appeared first on Mind Tools.

“When you truly study top performers in any field, what sets them apart is not their physical skill; it is how they control their minds."
– Tina Brown, British journalist and author

An Unlikely Champion

The Comrades Marathon is one of South Africa's annual sporting highlights. It's a 56 mile (90 kilometer) ultra marathon that takes place in the middle of our southern hemisphere winter. It owes its name to the many thousands of athletes who, over its 97-year history, have helped their fellow competitors to cross the finish line.

The cutoff time for receiving a medal is 12 hours. Just let that sink in: 12 hours of running! Now imagine running that far, for that long, with a physical disability.

There was one man you couldn't fail to notice in the 2018 race. Xolani Luvuno was allowed to start long before the rest of the field, and it took him longer than 12 hours to complete the distance. But he competed on crutches, because he only has one leg.

That alone is a remarkable story, but it was the finale of an even more extraordinary tale…

A Second Chance to Succeed

Xolani grew up in a poverty-stricken, drug-infested neighborhood. He dropped out of high school at 16 and turned to a life of crime. He became a gangster, notorious for robbing people at knifepoint.

Xolani spent five years in prison and, after his release, he was diagnosed with cancer in his one leg, and had it amputated above the knee.

Homeless, with no qualifications, and with even a life of crime ruled out by his disability, he turned to drugs. He begged during the day, and would "shoot up" at night.

One day a man stopped to chat to the one-legged beggar he saw near his business every day. When the man asked if he was an addict, Xolani denied it, and the man offered him a job.

Two days later, Xolani confessed he was an addict, but that he wanted to recover. He decided to go cold turkey and suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms, but a week later he was "clean." Unfortunately, he started drinking and subsequently lost his job.

Two weeks later, Xolani returned and asked if he could have his job back, without pay, so that he could prove that he was sober and willing to work. The businessman gave him a second chance.

Top Performers Don't All Look the Same

The company that hired Xolani offered their employees financial incentives to run, to boost their health and well-being. The incentives were linked to race distances, and the biggest incentives went to employees who finished the famous Comrades Marathon.

Xolani decided to start training for the Comrades – and he completed it with the owner of the business by his side. But he didn't take his prize money. Instead, he asked his employer to donate it to a school for disabled children.

What Do Top Performers Do Differently?

Xolani wasn't the fastest person in the race. But, in my opinion, he is still a top performer. He had to overcome a deprived upbringing, a terrible reputation, and a criminal history, and he had to beat incredible odds both mentally and physically.

Yet, he went on to become the first person to complete the Comrades Marathon on one leg and two crutches.

During our Twitter chat last Friday, we discussed the topic of what top performers do differently. Here are the questions we asked, and some of the responses:

Q1. How do you define top performance?

@ShereesePubHlth Top performers are not always those who are recognized, but those who give their all. There are the "celebrated at work" and the "work to be celebrated." They're two different things.

@Singh_Vandana Top performance can be defined as that little extra bit which is visible and differentiates one from the average. Someone who is consistent and passionately committed.

@MduduziTNtuli Top performance is defined by the outstanding results achieved in target time, and especially by smart teamwork.

Q2. Why does top performance matter?

@s_narmadhaa Top performance motivates everyone to top the top performance.

@MissionHired Companies say they want top performers because it pushes people and makes them more money. To me, it only matters if it matters to you. If it helps you grow and meet your goals, great! Being a top performer should not be used to make others feel "less than," or pit people against each other.

@GodaraAR It leads an organization to new heights and it’s the mother of all innovation.

Q3. Which characteristics do top performers have in common?

@temekoruns Top performers don't quit during a challenge, always believe in themselves, don't mind giving up sleep to deliver, always prepare and persist.

@Yolande_MT Top performers never stop learning.

@SaifuRizvi They are the restless people. They believe in finding solutions rather than merely talking about problems. They have a strong urge to contribute to projects.

Q4. What role does does being naturally "gifted" play?

@NWarind Being naturally gifted gives you a head start, but a person still has to perform at his/her best.

@BrainBlenderTec Everyone is gifted in something; it’s about finding out what those gifts are and using them to the max.

@sittingpretty61 Being naturally gifted is often subjective, and yet tangible. You contribute a special skill or innate ability which hopefully fulfills a greater quality of life to others.

Q5. How do top performers approach their work?

@carriemaslen Top performers approach their work logically, start with the end in mind, and keep everyone informed.

@MicheleDD_MT They set goals for everything that they do. Standards of quality and results are high. They are efficient and effective – excellent at managing their time and energy. Very focused and passionate about achieving their goals.

Q6. How can being a top performer be a disadvantage?

@K1llustrator By not being able to be there for everyone simultaneously. A top performer has a lot of responsibilities which depend on his/her skills alone.

@dialbanese Many will come to you for help because they know you're reliable. If you don't organize your time properly, this can set you back in your own work or stress you out.

@PG_pmp Many times people have unreasonable expectations of the person.

Q7. What effect do top performers have on other members of a team?

@TwisterKW A double-edged sword, methinks. They can motivate, inspire, mentor… or intimidate, be resented, and demotivate. Though the "effect" is a combination of how they choose to behave and how others perceive/respond/and choose to behave in return.

@Midgie_MT They can help raise the performance for others by being the example, sharing their approaches and strategies.

Q8. What are you willing to do differently from today that will increase your performance?

@PIPability Constantly ask others: "What can I do to help you?" Ask myself: "What one thing, done well, will have the biggest and most positive impact on my job, my co-workers, and my company?"

@nitinwelde Look at what is the metric for assessment. Work towards being the best in each of the metrics. Make a plan to get better in each trait expected and then implement the plan diligently and with determination. Keep fueling the fire in the belly.

Q9. What obstacles do you need to be prepared for while working to become a top performer?

@Jikster2009 Perseverance, resilience, lack of motivation and energy, coping when things don’t go to plan, others trying to sabotage your progress. Mental and physical stresses, too.

@KobusNeethInst You might get impatient if success doesn't come as quickly as you thought it would. Persevere. Keep on. Patience is your friend!

Q10. In what ways could you help someone to become a top performer?

@ZalkaB By supporting, being genuinely happy for their success and achievements. This mindset can not only be encouraging, but helps attract positivity and success for everyone involved.

@SanabriaJav Provide them with guidance, especially on issues where they lack experience.

To read all of the tweets, have a look at the Wakelet collection of this chat.

Coming Up

The good thing about working with people is exactly that: you work with people! But working with people can also be a major challenge. As a manager and a leader, you won't always work with top performers – and in our next #MTtalk Twitter chat we're going to discuss the daily pain points of managing a team. We'd like to know what characteristic, when it's displayed by a team member, is likely to frustrate you the most. Click here to see all of the options and to cast your vote.

Resources

In the meantime, here are some resources that will help you to learn more about becoming a top performer:

Emotional Intelligence
How to Be Conscientious
Prioritization
Personal Goal Setting
Eight Common Goal Setting Mistakes
High-Performance Coaching
Managing High Achievers
Beware the "Cheater's High!"

Members of the Mind Tools Club can also access the full versions of the following articles:

Overcoming Cultural Barriers to Change
The Power of Good Habits
Performance Planning
Pygmalion Motivation
Self-Discipline
Stop - Keep Doing - Start
Coaching With Feedback
Using Well-Formed Outcomes in Goal Setting
Visualization
How to Develop Long-Term Focus

The post What Do Top Performers Do Differently? – #MTtalk Roundup appeared first on Mind Tools.

That's right. I, too, have been on the edge of my seat watching England play in the soccer World Cup in Russia. The same is true of the Olympics. Every four years, when the Games start, I think, "So what?" But a few days in, I'm hooked!

After all, who can fail to be inspired by the pageantry, the camaraderie, the heart-wrenching losses, the close calls, and the amazing against-all-odds stories? But, beyond this, how does sport impact us? And are there any lessons we can learn from it that we can apply in business, or in our careers? 

The Link Between Sports and Business

For many people, sports means entertainment, pure and simple. And it has no place in business.

But this view ignores the many positive business lessons that sports can teach us. Leadership, motivation, teamwork, communication, goal-setting, strategy, and stress management, for example.

In fact, many major sports stars have made the successful leap to business. And many of them are likely driven by the special range of skills that they developed during their sporting careers.

Take Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Do you know him best as the famous movie star, or as the champion pro-wrestler? Or, how about Magic Johnson? Arguably one of the best basketball players of all time, he now spends his time investing in several well-known franchises, including Starbucks, Burger King and T.G.I. Friday's.

Tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams have reputations for success both on and off the court. Sharapova, for instance, has her own candy business, Sugarpova, which she launched in 2012. The company continues to turn a profit and is expected to triple its revenue to $20m in 2018. Meanwhile, Venus Williams is CEO of not one, but two companies: the athletic apparel brand EleVen, and interior design company, V Starr Interiors.

What Leadership and Business Skills Can We Learn From Sports?

Even the least athletic of us can think of at least one sports star whose qualities we'd like to emulate in our own lives.

For me, it's 23-times Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams. She's had to overcome racial prejudice and ill health to get to where she is today. But, while I admire her fierce determination and persistence, it's her skill at balancing work and family that I find the most impressive. Since she had her first child in 2017, she is living proof that a woman really can "have it all." She's not "just" a mom, she's also (arguably) the greatest female tennis player of all time.

I wanted to find out if there are any other transferable skills in sports that we can use in our careers. So, I asked my Mind Tools colleagues about their favorite sports stars, and what they had learned from them.

Managing Stress and Goal-Setting

The ability to manage stress, and to stay calm under pressure, undoubtedly comes in handy when you're a top sports star. But these are skills that we can apply in everyday life, too.

CRO Executive, Fay Dawson, says that women's marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe, inspires her to manage stress through running. "I try to use my time running to ease the week's stresses, and to clear my mind. I often find I run best when I'm like this, as I haven't got hundreds of things flying around my brain!"

Fay also explains how Radcliffe's method of goal-setting helps her to manage expectations. "You can't expect to knock an hour off a personal best in a month with little training. Start with a few minutes and gradually increase it – and enjoy the small victories along the way. This doesn't just apply to running. Setting yourself small goals in life can make those big dreams more achievable."

Sales Manager, Patrick Burns, admires Formula One (F1) racing driver Kimi Raikonnen's ability to "rise above" the stresses of his profession. "He's shown that you don't have to adopt an over-the-top, bragging personality to be successful," Patrick says. "He's taught me that you don't need to get involved in politics and gossip. He plays everything with a 'straight bat.'"

Perseverance and Resilience

Many people were inspired by the sheer determination that goes into achieving sporting success. After all, you'll unlikely get anywhere if you fail to try, try, try again!

Interestingly, many of my colleagues draw their inspiration from the world of motorsports, where endurance and stamina are often key to winning!

Customer Support Executive, Jaye O'Farrell, takes his cue from Brazilian F1 star, Felipe Massa. Jaye says, "When I'm faced with a challenging situation, or something that seems insurmountable, I think about Felipe's perseverance. I don't believe in a 'no-win' situation. His work ethic has taught me that you can always find a way. So, keep pushing, keep trying, and be adaptable."

Sarah Reed, Coordinator in People & Culture, draws inspiration from the motorcycle road racers who compete in the Isle of Man TT. "Every rider that competes in the TT has such incredible skill, determination, and bravery. Ian Hutchinson, for instance, had a crash which nearly resulted in having his leg amputated, but he continues to race. And Michael Dunlop lost both his father and uncle through racing, but he continues to push himself in this unforgiving sport."

She explains how their "true grit" has influenced her own actions. "Both of these people have had to overcome extraordinary personal challenges. This has helped me to put my day-to-day challenges and problems into perspective, and to accept that life can throw 'big spanners' at you from time to time. But, when it does, you have to just take the blow and deal with it. There's no point whinging or whining. Sometimes your only choice is to sort it out and move on."

Determination and Commitment

Senior Writer, Steven Edwards, cites another racing driver, Nigel Mansell, as his sporting role model. "For me, Mansell was the most entertaining driver of his generation. He would wrestle with his cars, overtake other drivers outrageously, and fight where others would flinch. I learned from Mansell that if you want to achieve something badly enough, and you keep working at it, you can do it. His stubborn example encourages me to keep plugging away when something matters, even when the odds seem stacked against me."

Content Editor, Ed Pearcey, cites cricket legend Ian Botham's unending commitment as a quality he aspires to. "His win against Australia at Headingley in 1981 was a masterclass in total concentration, and sheer, pig-headed determination. He's made me more determined and taught me not to pay attention to distractions or naysayers."

For New Business Sales Executive, Toby Lear, however, it's Swiss tennis star and 20-times Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer, who best embodies commitment and determination. "His passion and relentlessness in professional tennis has helped him to have one of the longest careers in the sport, spanning 20 years. And he's still going strong. He's taught me to never give up!"

Hope and Positivity

Sometimes, a positive mental attitude is the one thing that sets you apart from the competition.

Facing down obstacles and setbacks with a smile is a hard skill to master. But it's one that can help you to meet your goals, no matter how hard they are, or how long it takes.

Administrator, Catherine Donoghue, is a big fan of Lewis Hamilton for precisely this reason. The four-time F1 world champion "reinforces a certain hopeful positivity that I like to express in my everyday life," she explains. "If a poor kid from Stevenage can succeed at one of the toughest and most elitist sports in the world, then who knows what's possible?"

Senior Content Editor, Charlie Swift, sees similar qualities in two of his favorite athletes – double Olympic gold medalist, Dame Kelly Holmes, and world champion rower, Dame Katherine Grainger. "They both had dreams of Olympic gold that they finally achieved, but only after years and years of effort and setbacks (injury and illness in Holmes's case, and repeated near misses in Grainger's). I'm still surprised and awestruck by their hope and determination, and their ability not to be swayed from striving, despite the odds and the critics, toward their goals."

Both Holmes and Grainger were considered "old" when they finally achieved their dreams of Olympic gold. As Charlie continues, "They've shown me that your dreams are still reachable, no matter your age! They both exude the joy of life and living, and they want other people to experience it for themselves. Their positivity is infectious and inspirational. They inspire me to keep moving forward, whatever it takes – and to celebrate even the small milestones."

Who are your favorite sporting heroes? How do they inspire you? And what lessons have they taught you that you've applied in your life and career? Share your story, below.

The post What We Can Learn From Our Sports Heroes, in Business and Life appeared first on Mind Tools.