Your Race Your Pace: 10 Life Lessons From Sports
And how to apply them in business and life
Last week, I participated in the 15km Unicef run in Hong Kong. This is one of the 100+ races I’ve completed as an amateur athlete.
I didn’t break any records or get any podium, yet crossing the finish line gave me a huge sense of achievement, gratitude, and positivity.
These are 10 lessons from sports you can apply to business and life to get inspiration and make things happen:
1. Sign up to build accountability
Put your hand up for the race, the course, the opportunity. Once your name is on the start list, you have positive pressure to show up and perform. Stop hiding.
2. Rely on practice, not luck
Your results (output) are the reflection of your effort (input). Make a plan, practice, and leave little room for luck.
“You can't complain about the results you didn't get from the hard work you didn't do.” – Mike Krzyzewski.
3. The first step is the hardest
Whenever you face a new challenge, the first step, the first page, the first word, is the hardest. Press “Start” and replace one day with day one.
4. Your biggest enemy is in your mind
The dark voices in your mind can convince you that you are not good enough, experienced enough, or skilled enough. It’s time to evict the imposter who is living in your head rent-free.
5. Your biggest ally is in your mind
You are the person standing between you and your dream. The sooner you realize it, the sooner you will reach it. Become your biggest supporter.
6. Visualize the finish line
The finish line is your why. When you feel lost, zoom out and visualize it to keep going, one step at a time.
7. Encourage others
When you support others, you create positive energy that benefits everyone around you, especially you. Be the person who cheers for others, and you will become your best cheerleader.
8. Celebrate the small milestones
I always break races into chunks to make them more achievable: 5km, 10km, water stations...Once I hit a small goal, I celebrate it and keep filling the motivation tank.
9. Be grateful: you *get* to
When you feel demotivated, reframe your mindset and thinking. You get to write, you get to go to work, you get to go for a run. Be grateful for your health, your opportunities and the people who support you.
10. Enjoy the journey
Happiness is not a thing, a destination, or a box you tick. Happiness is right now, it’s the little moments, the building blocks you are piling on top of each other.
Don’t focus on the future so much that you forget to enjoy the present.
Enjoy the journey so that regardless of the outcome, you make it worth it.
If you want a positive and uplifting read with actionable frameworks, check out The Lemon Tree Mindset on Amazon, the perfect Christmas gift 🎁🎄
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