The Mindset of an Olympian by Cindy Stradling CSP, CPC

Elite athletes inspire awe in many people. Athletes like Olympians accomplish physical feats that most of us can only dream of. However, even if we never plan to master an athletic event at the Olympic level, we can use the mindset of an Olympian to help us reach our own goals. Here are three things Olympians do that can help us in our every life at home and at work.

1. They set goals. Athletes don’t make it to the Olympics by accident. They know which year they plan to compete, and they set a schedule for achievement that will ensure they are ready when the time comes to try out for the team. They have a training schedule that gets them exactly where they need to be when they need to be there. There are many milestones along the way to the Olympics. If they don’t reach a milestone on time, they know they must reset the entire plan.

2. The see themselves at the finish line. Visualizing success is critical to being successful. If you can’t see yourself achieving your goal, you’ll never reach it. Imagine what it will feel like when you win that award, land that sale or get that great promotion. What will you say? How will you reward yourself? Who will be standing next to you cheering you on. This visualization is the key to getting your mind in gear for success.

3. They never give up. Olympic athletes stick to a rigorous training schedule. They train consistently. They train even when things aren’t going well and even when every muscle in their body hurts. They are so committed to the endeavor that they never even think of giving up on their goal. They practice this consistency every day. This regular hard work is what can take a good athlete and turn him into a great one.

Think about how these three actions can help you achieve your goals. Whether you want to increase your company’s sales, land a promotion, or train for your own favorite athletic event, these three actions will help you to keep in mind what’s important. When you stick to these, you’re sure to be an Olympian in your own field.