14 Business Lessons to Learn From the Olympics

You would've had to have been living under a rock not to notice the beauty and the pageantry of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This particular Olympics was more widely covered by the media than any of the past Olympic Games, and there was plenty of scandal to boot. But what does that have to do with you, you ask? The Games offer a great model to small business owners and are full of examples that you can put to work right away.

Discipline. None of those Olympians could have done what they did without disciplined training regimens. They woke up each morning and recommitted themselves to doing whatever it took to make themselves better athletes.

Consistency. Olympians stand out from other athletes by virtue of the fact that they perform at a high level again and again and again. They practice until they can deliver a perfect performance every time. Do the same in your business and you'll find success.

Get Back on the Horse. Never let defeat defeat you. When you fail, get back up and try again.

Be Part of a Team. Even athletes competing in individual sports need teams of support behind them. Make sure you have a whole team standing behind you and supporting you as you reach for your goals.

Listen to Yourself. Your inner self knows exactly what you need to do to become successful. So when the crowd gets louder, turn inward to hear what your inner voice has to say. Tune out everything else and let your inner voice guide you.

Details Make the Difference. Every athlete knows that details can make or break a performance. Stepping out just a few inches on a dismount can be the difference between a gold medal gymnastics performance and a silver medal performance. A minimal twist in the body can be the difference between a great dive and a disaster. You'll only reach your goals when you pay attention to the details.

Give It Your Best. No matter what's working against you, always give it your best. Give a performance you can be proud of and you'll find yourself motivated to try again the next time.

Never Give Up. No matter how bleak things look or how tough things get, never give up on your dream. It may take years and years to finally realize your dream, but when you achieve your goals, those years will seem like minutes.

Make a Plan. Once you've made your game plan, stick with it.

There's No Substitute for Strength. Mental, physical, and emotional strength are equally important when it comes to small business success.

Be Big-Hearted. Nothing is more inspiring than an athlete whose heart is in the game, who keeps going even when the chips are down, who shows the world that she loves what she does more than anything else in the world. The same is true in the world of small business. Have a big heart and show it to everyone.

Embrace Your Nerves. It's perfectly natural to be scared to death when you start out on a new path. Don't squelch the fear and the anxiety. Let them remind you just how much you care about what you're doing.

Always Finish. You may be aware long before you reach the finish line that you're going to come in last, but finish what you've started anyway. No one can take you seriously if you throw up your hands in the home stretch and bail out completely. But they will respect you all the more if you just keep going.

Show Them They're Wrong. The time will come when you'll hear something negative. Let that negativity fuel your fire to succeed and prove them wrong.

Take these Olympic lessons and apply them to your small business, and then rejoice in your own gold medal!

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