Lessons on Mindset from the Winter Olympics

Lessons on the Mindset from the Winter Olympics

By Annette Huygens-Tholen

The Olympics represent the pinnacle of success for the majority of sports in the world. Athletes dedicate themselves to representing their country in a competition held only once every four years. What is there to learn from the Games and those who participate?

1. Believe in your Dreams - many athletes defy the odds and overcome adversity to realise their dream of becoming an Olympian. Many were told they didn't have what it takes. For many, if they had decided to 'be real' with their goals then they would never have dared to imagine competing in the Olympics. Some dreams stopped at becoming an Olympian, some dreamed of being a Gold Medallist.
Take Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, nicknamed the Snow Leopard, representing Ghana in the Alpine Skiing. An unlikely participant, having taken up the sport just 5 years ago, learning to ski at an indoor centre in Scotland. One of the slowest down the mountain, Kwame is creating success in his own way and gaining recognition for it.
Lesson: Never let anyone stop you from dreaming B.I.G. - Bold Inspiring Goals. Put a goal out there and commit to it and you will find a way to make it happen.

2. Courage - there are many examples of courage through the Winter Olympics with so many of the sports posing risk to life and limb. Many athletes competing report having recovered from broken bones, concussion and sprains - and yet here they are, undeterred, keeping the end in mind. Their greatest competition is within themselves winning the mental game it takes to perform at such a high level.
Consider the luge competitors, competing on a track just days after the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili; Canadian Ice skater Joannie having the courage to take the ice and win the Bronze medal just days after the death of her mother.
Lesson: Find the courage to face your fears and do it anyway.

3. Resilience - athletes suffer setbacks at one point in their lives, and they get back up again. Some are competing at their 2nd or 3rd Olympics, desiring to emulate and/or improve on past performance.
Slovenian cross-country skiier Petra Majdic fell three metres down an embankment in training, breaking four ribs. She didn't let this stop her and pushed through 3 qualifying races to make the finals and to then win Bronze. Remarkable!
Lesson: There will be obstacles in your way as you seek out your own success. How much do you want it? What are you prepared to endure to win your prize?

4. It's not over 'til it's over - athletes show that you have to keep going until the end and finish strong. In skiing and snow-boarding events anything can happen with crashes and slip-ups. Those who hang-on can still have a chance to win.
Back in 2002 Australia's Stephen Bradbury was coming last in the short-track speed-skating when all 4 competitors in front of him tripped and got entangled with each other opening up the way for Bradbury to skate through to a Gold Medal.
In 2006 Lindsey Jacobellis of the Unites States had a clear lead in the snowboard cross and went for a twisting grab in the air of her board - this caused her to crash and Swiss Tanja Frieden passed her by.
Lesson: Keep going right through to the end because you never know what opportunity falls your way.

5. Winning is in the process - successful athletes focus on the process because they know that is how the game is won.
When Australian Torah Bright prepared for her second run, she needed to perform after crashing in her first run. Standing at the top, Torah appeared to be relaxed and mentally prepared for her run. She knew what she had to do, and set out to do what she had practiced over and over again The outcome was a Gold medal.
Lesson: Success is about doing what you love and loving the process. Let go of the need for a particular outcome boosts your chance of realizing your goal.

6. Weigh up the Risks - many Winter Olympics events have scoring with points won/loss on degree of difficulty. Athletes know there are times to play safe and there are times to take risks. Someone might need to land a jump in order to qualify, or to stay on their feet to finish a race. When it comes to the final rounds, athletes are going for their most difficult tricks and attacking their race in order to be the best. Not everyone succeeds when they dare to risk, but better to have gone for it and create the opportunity to win, then to play safe and never know what could have been possible.
In claiming Austria's first Alpine gold medal for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Andrea Fischbacher claimed that she 'attacked from start to finish' and it was thought that favourite Lindsay Vonn skiied too conservatively and was relegated to third.
Lesson: There will be times you will need to risk failing in order to succeed. The higher the prize, the higher the risk you will need to take.

7. Celebrate - you always see the Gold Medallist celebrating their win, they are at the top. There is mixed celebration from those who come 2nd, 3rd and those who don't medal. The one who acknowledges what they have achieved, rather than what they have not, are the most satisfied and fulfilled. Knowing that you have given it your all and have done your best in the moment, it's now time to celebrate your achievement.
Lesson: Be grateful for what you have achieved knowing that this is a stepping stone to even greater things.

Olympians have an amazing quality of mindset that enables them to achieve high level of success that can help them beyond sport. Tap into what it takes to be the best and you can achieve too.

About the author:

Annette Huygens Tholen is a former international beach volleyball player and participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. She experienced the difficulties of transition from sport and is now a Master Results Coach and International speaker using her learnings and experience to empower others to reproduce emotional and financial success in their life beyond sport. Annette also teaches seminars for the world's biggest NLP Coaching and Training Organisation -The Christopher Howard Companies. For more information on how to create success in your life with the champion mindset, please visit www.annetteffect.com and sign up for the free mini-Ecourse.