Author: Sree Mitra
Even though the Olympic torch has been dimmed for the next 4 years, the spirit of the Games carries on, sparking lessons that go beyond the stadiums. The skills that propel Olympians to unbelievable heights of achievement are not just feats of physical prowess, but also a series of mind skills that we can all learn and apply in our daily lives.
Let’s explore 5 such Mind Skills that champions demonstrate again and again, that can help us increase performance and achieve results in our respective fields of excellence.
1. Build a routine and stick to it
Every athlete, no matter the sport, has a rigorous training schedule carefully drawn out to maximize performance gains. Why? Because consistency is the key. Just as an athlete’s day might start with a 4 AM workout followed by an hour by hour breakup of the day, stabilizing your day with a consistent routine can help us stay focused, maintain our mental energy, and achieve maximum efficiency.
Starting the day with a reflection exercise, incorporating short mental breaks throughout the day, creating whitespace on your calendar to give yourself some thinking time, ending the day with a gratitude practice – are just some examples of building a general routine. Returning to your routine can also provide a comforting sense of control and normalcy in high-stress situations.
2. Make mental rehearsals your preparation stage
Have you noticed how athletes pause and focus on a specific point before starting? Before swimmers spring off the diving board they briefly close their eyes; gymnasts take a deep breath while fixating on a corner of the mat before beginning their floor routines; while basketball players frequently bounce the ball a set number of times before attempting a free throw. So what are they doing? With this brief pause, they center their minds, reduce distractions, and play out their best performance. For us corporate world professionals, this brief pause can be a powerful skill to learn and master.
Before getting into an intense or high stress situation, take two minutes – bring your mind to the present, focus on your strengths, and visualize what success would look like. These mental rehearsals can prime your mind to perform at its best.
3. Learn and grow from feedback
Feedback in sports is essential for athletes to improve their performance. These can be instantaneous, such as coaches shouting adjustments from the sidelines; or it could be a systematic, clear, and objective assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to focus their training efforts effectively.
Similarly, in the workplace, fostering an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive, and people are encouraged to practice a growth mindset, can be a powerful combination that leads to continuous improvement and growth at an individual and at an organization level.
4. Rest to race ahead
Athletes understand that rest isn’t just a reward; it’s an essential part of training and performing at their best. Similarly, in the hustle of our professional careers, it’s crucial to acknowledge that we all need breaks. Sustainable productivity and performance can only be achieved when we take the time to rest and recharge.
Short breaks during the day, such as 5-10 minute pauses, can help refresh and reset the mind. Regular vacations, typically lasting a week or two, are needed for more extensive relaxation and to disconnect from the mental stress that comes from constant engagement. Sabbaticals, often lasting several months to a year, offer professionals the opportunity for deep personal growth, skill development, or pursuit of passion projects.
Determine what breaks you need, how to make the most of it to recharge your mental batteries, and make it a priority.
5. Adapt and overcome
There are innumerable examples of athletes who are the epitome of excellence, but have had to overcome huge obstacles over the course of their careers. Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer, returned to competitive surfing after losing her arm in a shark attack; Gymnast Simone Biles took a break from competition to focus on her mental health before returning to win 2 medals at the 2020 Olympics and 4 medals at the Paris Olympics; Tennis player Venus Williams has continued to compete at a high level despite being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. All these athletes and many more excel because they have acknowledged the obstacle, and have been flexible to change their approach.
In the workplace too, resilience comes from staying flexible and adapting to changes head-on — whether it’s a sudden project shift, an unexpected delay in deliverables, or a significant financial loss. Just like athletes adjust their strategies based on their conditions, we, too, can learn to overcome our fears, and pivot our approaches to find innovative solutions to our challenges.
These Mind Skills inspired by athletes can bring out the best performance in you and allow you to take control of your work life. What Mind Skills will you start building today?